NEW Now you can listen to Fox News articles!
The United States has included Russian President Vladimir Putin’s reported girlfriend, Alina Maratovna Kabaeva, in the latest round of sanctions announced on Tuesday.
The Treasury Department noted that Kabaeva, 39, a former member of the Duma government and Olympic gymnast, has “close ties to Putin” and currently heads the National Media Group, which presents pro-Kremlin content across platforms. .
Russian President Vladimir Putin smiles next to Russian gymnast Alina Kabaeva during a meeting with the Russian Olympic team in the Kremlin. (REUTERS/ITAR-TASS/PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE/File Photo)
Former deputy of the State Duma Committee on Youth Affairs and member of the United Russia party Alina Kabaeva listened to Putin’s speech at the Duma Center in Moscow. (REUTERS/Alexander Natruskin)
The United Kingdom and the European Union have previously sanctioned Kabaeva, who the Wall Street Journal reports is the mother of at least three of Putin’s children.
RUSSIAN OLIGARCH, KNOWN AS ‘PUTIN’S ASSISTANT,’ SANCTIONED IS ON FBI’S MOST PEOPLE DISTRICT.
While the sanctions may hurt Putin’s pocketbook, his interest in Ukraine trumps any economic considerations, according to Rebekah Koffler, a former official at the Center for National Security and author of ” Putin’s Playbook: Russia’s Secret Strategy to Defeat America.”
“Banning Kabayeva will have some effect on Putin’s personal finances because he keeps his wealth scattered among the bank accounts of close friends and family. But Putin is probably the richest person in the world, he’s probably richer than Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates or Elon Musk, with his wealth ranging from $100 billion to $200 billion,” Koffler told Fox News Digital.
“So giving his girlfriend and the mother of several of his children certainly won’t do anything to change his policy and his policy towards Ukraine, the United States, or the West.”
Alina Kabaeva (C) of Russia celebrates her gold medal in the individual rhythmic gymnastics all-around gold medal at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. (REUTERS/Mike Hutchings)
Russian gymnast Alina Kabayeva arrives for the Laureus Sports Awards at the Mariinsky Theater in St Petersburg. (REUTERS/Alexander Demianchuk)
Russian President Vladimir Putin presents flowers to Alina Kabayeva, Russian rhythmic gymnastics star and Olympic medalist, after awarding her the Order of Friendship during the annual awards ceremony in the Kremlin. (SERGEI CHIRIKOV/AFP via Getty Images)
Other people close to Putin have also been sanctioned in recent months, including his two eldest daughters, Mariya Putina and Katerina Tinkonova.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“While innocent people are suffering from Russia’s illegal war of aggression, Putin’s allies are enriching themselves and supporting luxury,” Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Tuesday.
“The Treasury Department will use every tool at our disposal to ensure that Russian elites and Kremlin aides are held accountable for their involvement in a war that has killed so many people.”
Paul Best is a reporter for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to Paul.best@fox.com and on Twitter: @KincaidBest.
