The U.S. List of Russian Oligarchs Is a Disgrace

The U.S. Treasury Department spent six months compiling lists of Russian political leaders and "oligarchs" as required by last year's sanctions legislation. The end result is a bizarre cut-and-paste job where some of the inclusions, and some of the omissions, make little sense.

The individuals on the list aren't subject to any restrictions (except the 22 who are already on previous sanctions lists). But the publication of their names in connection with Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. sanctions will serve as a warning to anyone dealing with them that they might have a problem with the U.S. government in the future, at its convenience. That, in turn, may make many Western banks reluctant to take their money. Not that Treasury seems concerned about the implications of its list.