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Russia has expanded its list of sanctioned Americans in tit-for-tat retaliation for the latest curbs imposed by the United States. But what is most surprising is how President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia has adopted the enemy that former President Donald J. Trump considers his own.
Among the 500 people targeted for travel and financial restrictions on Friday are Americans considered enemies by Mr Trump, including Letitia James, the New York state attorney general who has investigated and prosecuted him. Brad Raffensperger, the Georgia secretary of state who resisted pressure from Mr. Trump to overturn the 2020 election results, also made the list. And Lieutenant Michael Byrd, the Capitol Police officer who shot pro-Trump rioter Ashli Babbitt on January 6, 2021, is another famous name.
None of the three men have anything to do with Russia policy and the only reason they will be paying attention in Moscow is because Mr Trump has publicly attacked them. The Russian Foreign Ministry did not specifically explain why they would be included in the list, but said that among the targets were “people in the government and law enforcement agencies who were directly involved in persecuting dissidents after the so-called. attack on the Capitol.”
This month, Mr. Trump has tried to rewrite history that day and pardon the rioters he blamed if he is elected to a second term. He also refuses to support Ukraine in the war against Russia if he is re-elected president, but he will try to mediate between Kyiv and Moscow.
Of course, the Russian sanctions have no real effect on Ms. James, Mr. Raffensperger and Lt. Byrd because none of them are known to have assets in Russia or plan to travel there. Mr Raffensperger tweeted back from Gabriel Sterling, chief operating officer, who wrote: “Big respect to @GaSecofState Raffensperger. He is one of hundreds of Americans banned from Russia by Vladimir Putin. This means Brad is doing the right thing.
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