THE U.S. GOVERNMENT HAS PAID RUSSIAN companies over $8 million to maintain its embassy in Moscow, a Newsweek investigation has found, with one company that was awarded a contract later placed under sanction by Canada.
Shortly after launching its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russia was slapped with economic sanctions by the United States and its allies around the world. The U.S. went on to seize approximately $300 billion of Russian Central Bank assets as well as $30 billion of assets of officials close to President Vladimir Putin.
The embassy contracts have drawn criticism from campaign groups and politicians, including Idaho Republican Congressman Russ Fulcher.
"Even if these contracts are relatively small, I voted on legislation to halt American investments into Russia, and providing jobs for their citizens is doing just that," he said. The U.S. ceased using certain Libyan-owned products and businesses for its diplomatic mission in Tripoli, a source who used to work in government told Newsweek, when the North African nation was under sanction following the fall of the Gaddafi regime. This had led some Russia watchers to wonder why the same cannot be done in Moscow.
The U.S. government, however, has suggested it is not possible.
Can using Russian workers and resources be justified as the price of maintaining a diplomatic presence in the country? Newsweek investigates.
'Significant Income for Russia'
According to a Newsweek analysis of procurement data, the government has awarded 41 contracts amounting to $8,054,780.36 in value to 12 Russian companies.
Bu hikaye Newsweek US dergisinin March 01 - 08, 2024 (Double Issue) sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Newsweek US dergisinin March 01 - 08, 2024 (Double Issue) sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Major League Error
Why baseball fans have long thought Ty Cobb to be a racist when he wasn't
The TikTok Election
With both Donald Trump and Joe Biden now on the app, could it help determine the next U.S. president in November?
Failure to Deliver
Multinational companies embraced Chinese factories to lower costs. Their excessive reliance ended up being a central cause of the COVID supply chain meltdown
The Fight to Ban Child Marriage
Under-18s can legally wed in most U.S. states but young spouses are often left physically, emotionally and economically vulnerable, campaigners say
BEST SPECIALISTS & SURGEONS
FINDING THE BEST MEDICAL SPECIALIST IS A DAUNTING TASK for anyone requiring specific treatment.
SURGEONS MAGIC TOUCH
Americans turn down syringes but go UNDER SCALPELS. What do these doctors know that the rest of medicine doesn't?
ARABIAIN MIGHT
SAUDI ARABIA'S INCREASING STRENGTH MEANS IT NOW HAS MUCH MORE CLOUT WITH ITS PARTNERS, INCLUDING THE U.S.
Bringing Trump's Trial to Life
Sketch artist Isabelle Brourman tells Newsweek what it was like covering the former president's court case
Iran Examines the Nuclear Option
Tehran's rhetoric could spark an arms race in the Middle East like never before
Climate Conviction at What Price?
Fifty years ago experts doubted Americans would pay to save the environment. Only some of their fears are still true