The list of sanctioned Russians could be expanded this week. Will Oleg Deripaska, who is well connected in Austria, follow?
Austria’s government wants to expand the EU list of sanctioned Russians. A surprising broadcast on Wednesday afternoon said: “The Austrian representation in Brussels will introduce the position of the federal government in order to expand the list of sanctioned persons, in particular other oligarchs, in a 5th sanctions package.”
In Brussels it is expected that sanctions against people close to President Vladimir Putin will be tightened this week. It is questionable whether the oligarch Oleg Deripaska, who is economically anchored in Austria, will also be put on the list. Great Britain and Canada have already confiscated his assets and issued an entry ban. In Austria, recent efforts speak in favor of dissolving the connection with Deripaska. Most recently, Strabag co-owner Hans Peter Haselsteiner tried to let the syndicate agreement with him expire. Deripaska had previously sold his hotel in Lech am Arlberg to a relative. Recently there were rumors in Brussels that Vienna had intervened on behalf of the oligarch, if only for a delay.
The government has always denied this.
(“Die Presse”, print edition, March 17, 2022)