US Lifts Sanctions on Karina Rotenberg, Wife of Putin Ally

The U.S. Treasury Department has lifted sanctions on Karina Rotenberg, the wife of Russian billionaire Boris Rotenberg, a close ally of President Vladimir Putin, while simultaneously imposing new sanctions on three Russian companies. Karina, a dual citizen of the U.S. and Russia, was sanctioned in March 2022 following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, but details surrounding her removal from the sanctions list remain unclear as the Treasury did not provide a reason. Despite her husband's sanctions, she has continued to travel internationally and has significant assets in Europe. The U.S. has expanded its sanctions on Russian entities, including Edison, Kolibri Group, and Sky Frame, which are accused of being involved in a network that supplies goods to the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. President Trump has previously criticized Russia's actions but has maintained a complex relationship with Putin, threatening additional sanctions if peace negotiations do not progress. The situation reflects ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Russia amid the conflict in Ukraine.