Russia Sanctions Compensation Bill Advances in Close Vote

Russia gave provisional approval to a law allowing the seizure of foreign states’ assets in the country after the U.S. and its allies targeted President Vladimir Putin’s inner circle over Ukraine.

Lawmakers in the State Duma backed the measure by a vote of 233 to 202, with members of the ruling United Russia party in favor and deputies from the opposition Communists as well as the Kremlin-friendly Just Russia and the nationalist Liberal Democratic Party opposed. The bill needed 226 votes to pass and is subject to two more readings before it can advance.