re: It doesn't matter whether Trump violated campaign finance laws

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May 17, 2018
Intelligence concerns – Nord Stream 2

Sandra Oudkirk, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Diplomacy at the U.S. Department of State, said that President Trump received new authority from Congress to impose sanctions against a variety of Russian pipeline projects. As such, companies involved were in “an elevated position of sanctions risk.”

She added that Nord Stream 2 represented an intelligence concern issue, “when we look at the ability of governments and companies to use infrastructure deployments as means to convey devices and technologies that can listen and follow and monitor, that is a concern with regard to this particular undersea pipeline project in the Baltic Sea.”

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June 11, 2018
Sanctions – Russian Federal Security Service enablers

The U.S. Department of the Treasury imposed new sanctions on five Russian entities and three Russian individuals; these entities are controlled by and have provided material and technological support to Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB). This action also targets the Russian government’s underwater capabilities.

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July 13, 2018
12 Russian agents indicted in Mueller investigation

The Justice Department announced indictments against 12 members of the GRU, a Russian federation intelligence agency, over their engagement in a “sustained effort” to hack the Democratic National Committee and the Clinton presidential campaign.

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March 15, 2018
U.S.-CERT Alert – Russian Government Cyber Activity

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and FBI issued a joint Technical Alert (TA) that “provides information on Russian government actions targeting U.S. government entities as well as organizations in the energy, nuclear, commercial facilities, water, aviation, and critical manufacturing sectors.” DHS and FBI characterized this activity as a multi-stage intrusion campaign by Russian government cyber actors who targeted small commercial facilities’ networks where they staged malware, conducted spear phishing, and gained remote access into energy sector networks.

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March 15, 2018
New sanctions over election meddling

The U.S. Department of the Treasury imposed sanctions on 24 Russian entities and individuals for interfering in the 2016 election and conducting a series of cyberattacks.

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March 25, 2018
Expulsion – Russian U.N. diplomats

The U.S. administration expelled 12 Russian intelligence officers from the Russian Mission to the U.N. in New York, pursuant to the U.N. headquarters agreement, because of abuse of their privilege of residence.

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March 26, 2018
Expulsion – Russian Intelligence Officers

President Trump ordered the expulsion of 48 diplomats from the Russian Embassy in Washington and the closure of the Russian consulate in Seattle (because of its proximity to one of the submarine bases and Boeing). This action was in response to Russia’s use of a military-grade chemical weapon in the U.K. (Overview)

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April 6, 2018
New sanctions on Russian oligarchs, officials, and entities – In response to worldwide malign activity

The U.S. Department of the Treasury imposed new sanctions on 7 Russian oligarchs and the 12 companies they own or control, 17 senior Russian government officials, and a state-owned Russian weapons trading company (and a bank it owns), for their roles advancing Russia’s malign activities – including the continuous occupation of Crimea, engaging in cyberattacks, and supporting Assad’s regime.

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July 25, 2018
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo issues Crimea Declaration reaffirming rejection of Russia’s annexation

Shortly after the White House announced that a planned visit by Putin to Washington would be postponed until next year, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, arguing that the Trump administration has maintained a tough stance on Russia and reaffirming U.S. rejection of Russian annexation of Crimea.

He said: “With respect to Russia, this administration has been tougher than previous administrations…our approach has been…to steadily raise the costs of aggression until Vladimir Putin chooses a less confrontational foreign policy, while keeping the door open for dialogue.”

“The United States reaffirms as policy its refusal to recognize the Kremlin’s claims of sovereignty over territory seized by force in contravention of international law…in concert with allies, partners, and the international community, the United States rejects Russia’s attempted annexation of Crimea and pledges to maintain this policy until Ukraine’s territorial integrity is restored.”

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