Biden Administration Issues Sweeping New Sanctions on Russia in Response to Election Interference, Malicious Cyber Activity, and Other “Russian Malfeasance”

On April 15, 2021, following discussions just days earlier of a potential summit between President Biden and Russian President Putin and as Russian troops amassed along the Ukrainian border, the Biden Administration issued long-awaited and highly anticipated sanctions against Russia, including a far-reaching new executive order, “Blocking Property With Respect To Specified Harmful Foreign Activities Of The Government Of The Russian Federation,” which authorizes sanctions on any “person” (individual or entity) determined to meet an expansive array of criteria related to the Russian Federation’s involvement in, among other things, election interference, political destabilization, cyber-enabled activities, and corruption.