Russian President Vladimir Putin smiles alongside Russian gymnast Alina Kabaeva at an assembly with the Russian Olympic team in the Kremlin. (REUTERS/ITAR-TASS/PRESIDENTIAL PRESS OFFICE/File photo)
Alina Kabaeva, former vice chairman of the State Duma’s Youth Affairs Committee and a member of the United Russia party, listens to Putin in the Moscow State Duma. (REUTERS/Alexander Natruskin)
The United Kingdom and the European Union have already sanctioned Kabaeva, who according to the Wall Street Journal is the mother of at least 3 of Putin’s children.
THE RUSSIAN OLIGARCHY, KNOWN AS “PUTIN’S LEADER,” TARGETED BY SANCTIONS IS ON THE FBI’S MOST WANTED LIST
While sanctions may break Putin’s wallet, his interest in Ukraine outweighs any economic considerations, according to Rebekah Koffler, a former officer at the Defense Intelligence Agency and “Putin’s Playbook: Russia’s Secret Plan to Defeat America. “
“Sanctioning Kabayeva will have an effect on Putin’s private finances, as it helps keep his fortune spread among the bank accounts of his closest friends and family. But Putin could be the richest user in the world, perhaps richer than Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates or Elon Musk, with wealth ranging from $100 billion to $200 billion,” Koffler told Fox News Digital.
“So punishing her friend and mother of several of her children will almost do nothing to replace her policy and strategy toward Ukraine, the United States or the West. “
Russia’s Alina Kabaeva (center) celebrates her gold medal in rhythmic gymnastics at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. (REUTERS/Mike Hutchings)
Russian gymnast Alina Kabayeva arrives at the Laureus Sports Awards at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg. (REUTERS/Alexander Demianchuk)
Russian President Vladimir Putin hands out flowers to Russian rhythmic gymnastics star and Olympic laureate Alina Kabayeva after awarding her the Order of Friendship at the Kremlin’s annual awards ceremony. (SERGEI CHIRIKOV/AFP Getty Images)
Other people close to Putin have also been sanctioned in recent months, two of his adult daughters, Mariya Poutina and Katerina Tinkonova.
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“While other innocent people suffer from Russia’s illegal war of aggression, Putin’s allies have enriched themselves and financed affluent lifestyles,” Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Tuesday.
“The Treasury Department will use any and all tools at its disposal to ensure that Russian elites and Kremlin facilitators are held accountable for their complicity in a war that has claimed countless lives. “
Paul Best is a Fox News reporter Digital. La story can be sent to Paul. best@fox. com and on Twitter: @KincaidBest.