Dunkle Wolken über dem Russland-Geschäft
Der Kurssturz am Vortag war heftig. Am Dienstag setzte die Aktie der Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) anfänglich zur Gegenbewegung an. Immerhin hatte sich der Konzern sein Polen-Problem vom Hals schaffen können (siehe Beitrag rechts) . Dann ging es mit dem Kurs bergab, später wieder bergauf. Dunkle Wolken über dem Russlandgeschäft dominierten die Aktienmärkte.
US-Sanktionen gegen ein paar russische Oligarchen gab es schon länger, für die Börsen war das kein Problem. Seit am Freitag die Sanktionen allerdings auf die Firmen dieser Oligarchen ausgeweitet wurden, spielen die Börsen verrückt, vor allem die in Moskau. Fakt ist: US-Bürgern ist es verboten, Geschäfte mit den Oligarchen-Firmen zu machen. Etwa mit Rusal, einem der größten Alu-Produzenten der Welt, der zum Reich von Oleg Deripaska gehört. Vor Schreck ließen die Investoren aber nicht nur Aktien fallen, die direkt betroffen sein könnten, sondern auch Banktitel. Schließlich machen die Geldhäuser auch Geschäfte mit den Betroffenen und deren Firmen. Dass das nur in winzigen Dosen stattfindet, ist dabei egal – die Angst ist größer.
„Derzeit sehen wir minimale Auswirkungen der Sanktionen auf die RBI-Gruppenebene. Es sind nur rund 0,1 Prozent der Bilanzsumme der RBI-Gruppe betroffen“, sagt etwa RBI-Boss Johann Strobl. Bei der Sberbank, der größten russischen Bank, sind nur 2,5 Prozent des Kreditportfolios betroffen.
Trotzdem: „Der Markt ist verängstigt“, lautet die Beschreibung von Alexandre Dimitrov, Fondsmanager bei der Erste Sparinvest. Chemiewaffen, Krieg in Syrien – es gebe etliche Gründe für Ängste. Dazu komme: Die EU habe noch nicht auf die neuerlichen US-Sanktionen reagiert. Wird sie mitziehen, was den Welthandel spürbar beeinflussen würde?
„Diskriminierung“
Der gebürtige Steirer und frühere Magna-Boss Siegfried Wolf, Chef und Mitgesellschafter bei Deripaskas Autozulieferer Russian Machines (60.000 Mitarbeiter), hofft, dass sich die Europäer „dem US-Diktat“ nicht unterwerfen werden.
„Wir sind ohne nachvollziehbaren Grund auf diese US-Sanktionsliste gekommen“, sagt Wolf zum KURIER. „Wenn langjährige Partner ihre Geschäftsbeziehungen mit uns beenden müssen und wir keine Geschäfte mehr in Dollar bezahlen können, dann wird das zu wirtschaftlichen Einschränkungen führen. Diese Sanktionen sind diskriminierend.“ Laut Wolf werden dadurch enorme Werte vernichtet. Der Mischkonzern Basic Element von Oleg Deripaska hat durch die US-Strafmaßnahmen sechs Milliarden Dollar Börsenwert verloren.
Zu Deripaska gehören der Rohstoffkonzern EN+Group samt der Mehrheitsbeteiligung an Rusal, der Autobauer GAZ, der Autozulieferer Russian Machines sowie Baufirmen , Flughäfen und Airlines. Deripaska hält auch mittelbar 25 Prozent am heimischen Baukonzern Strabag. Alleine der in Hongkong notierende Rusal-Konzern verlor mit 4,5 Milliarden Dollar die Hälfte seines Marktwertes; die in London notierte EN+Group sogar 54 Prozent des Börsenwertes.
„Es kann doch nicht sein, dass die Amerikaner ihren Markt wie im Stahlbereich gegen die Europäer abschotten, und jetzt ziehen sie uns Europäer durch die neuerliche Sanktionspolitik gegen Russland in die nächste Schwierigkeit hinein“, sagt Wolf. „Die US-Sanktionspolitik basiert nicht auf Fakten, sondern nur auf Mutmaßungen. Wir Europäer müssen endlich eine eigene Position beziehen und sollten uns dringend Gedanken darüber machen, wer ist unser Exportmarkt und wer sind unsere Partner für die Zukunft.“
Auch der Handelskrieg, den US-Präsident Trump gegen China heraufbeschwört, betreffe Europa. Wolf: „Ich hoffe, dass nicht zu viel kaputt geschlagen wird.“
US-Sanktionen: Die Originalliste der betroffenen Oligarchen und ihrer Unternehmen
(US Department of the Treasury/English)
Vladimir Bogdanov is being designated for operating in the energy sector of the Russian Federation economy. Bogdanov is the Director General and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Surgutneftegaz, a vertically integrated oil company operating in Russia. OFAC imposed sectoral sanctions on Surgutneftegaz pursuant to Directive 4 issued under E.O. 13662 in September 2014.
Oleg Deripaska is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13661 for having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, a senior official of the Government of the Russian Federation, as well as pursuant to E.O. 13662 for operating in the energy sector of the Russian Federation economy. Deripaska has said that he does not separate himself from the Russian state. He has also acknowledged possessing a Russian diplomatic passport, and claims to have represented the Russian government in other countries. Deripaska has been investigated for money laundering, and has been accused of threatening the lives of business rivals, illegally wiretapping a government official, and taking part in extortion and racketeering. There are also allegations that Deripaska bribed a government official, ordered the murder of a businessman, and had links to a Russian organized crime group.
Suleiman Kerimov is being designated for being an official of the Government of the Russian Federation. Kerimov is a member of the Russian Federation Council. On November 20, 2017, Kerimov was detained in France and held for two days. He is alleged to have brought hundreds of millions of euros into France – transporting as much as 20 million euros at a time in suitcases, in addition to conducting more conventional funds transfers – without reporting the money to French tax authorities. Kerimov allegedly launders the funds through the purchase of villas. Kerimov was also accused of failing to pay 400 million euros in taxes related to villas.
Igor Rotenberg is being designated for operating in the energy sector of the Russian Federation economy. Rotenberg acquired significant assets from his father, Arkady Rotenberg, after OFAC designated the latter in March 2014. Specifically Arkady Rotenberg sold Igor Rotenberg 79 percent of the Russian oil and gas drilling company Gazprom Burenie. Igor Rotenberg’s uncle, Boris Rotenberg, owns 16 percent of the company. Like his brother Arkady Rotenberg, Boris Rotenberg was designated in March 2014.
Kirill Shamalov is being designated for operating in the energy sector of the Russian Federation economy. Shamalov married Putin’s daughter Katerina Tikhonova in February 2013 and his fortunes drastically improved following the marriage; within 18 months, he acquired a large portion of shares of Sibur, a Russia-based company involved in oil and gas exploration, production, processing, and refining. A year later, he was able to borrow more than one $1 billion through a loan from Gazprombank, a state-owned entity subject to sectoral sanctions pursuant to E.O. 13662. That same year, long-time Putin associate Gennady Timchenko, who is himself designated pursuant to E.O. 13661, sold an additional 17 percent of Sibur’s shares to Shamalov. Shortly thereafter, Kirill Shamalov joined the ranks of the billionaire elite around Putin.
Andrei Skoch is being designated for being an official of the Government of the Russian Federation. Skoch is a deputy of the Russian Federation’s State Duma. Skoch has longstanding ties to Russian organized criminal groups, including time spent leading one such enterprise.
Viktor Vekselberg is being designated for operating in the energy sector of the Russian Federation economy. Vekselberg is the founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Renova Group. The Renova Group is comprised of asset management companies and investment funds that own and manage assets in several sectors of the Russian economy, including energy. In 2016, Russian prosecutors raided Renova’s offices and arrested two associates of Vekselberg, including the company’s chief managing director and another top executive, for bribing officials connected to a power generation project in Russia.
Designated Oligarch-Owned Companies
In addition to sanctioning the individuals listed above, OFAC today designated 12 companies that constitute some of the most prominent among the entities that are owned or controlled by the individuals designated today. This list of 12 companies owned or controlled by the sanctioned oligarchs should not be viewed as exhaustive, and the regulated community remains responsible for compliance with OFAC’s 50 percent rule. [Insert link to rule here]
B-Finance Ltd., based in the British Virgin Islands, is being designated for being owned or controlled by, directly or indirectly, Oleg Deripaska.
Basic Element Limited is being designated for being owned or controlled by, directly or indirectly, Oleg Deripaska. Basic Element Limited is based in Jersey and is the private investment and management company for Deripaska’s various business interests.
EN+ Group is being designated for being owned or controlled by, directly or indirectly, Oleg Deripaska, B-Finance Ltd., and Basic Element Limited. EN+ Group is located in Jersey and is a leading international vertically integrated aluminum and power producer.
EuroSibEnergo is being designated for being owned or controlled by, directly or indirectly, Oleg Deripaska and EN+ Group. EuroSibEnergo is one of the largest independent power companies in Russia, operating power plants across Russia and producing around nine percent of Russia’s total electricity.
United Company RUSAL PLC is being designated for being owned or controlled by, directly or indirectly, EN+ Group. United Company RUSAL PLC is based in Jersey and is one of the world’s largest aluminum producers, responsible for seven percent of global aluminum production.
Russian Machines is being designated for being owned or controlled by, directly or indirectly, Oleg Deripaska and Basic Element Limited. Russian Machines was established to manage the machinery assets of Basic Element Limited.
GAZ Group is being designated for being owned or controlled by, directly or indirectly, Oleg Deripaska and Russian Machines. GAZ Group is Russia’s leading manufacturer of commercial vehicles.
Agroholding Kuban, located in Russia, is being designated for being owned or controlled by, directly or indirectly, Oleg Deripaska and Basic Element Limited.
Gazprom Burenie, OOO is being designated for being owned or controlled by Igor Rotenberg. Gazprom Burenie, OOO provides oil and gas exploration services in Russia.
NPV Engineering Open Joint Stock Company is being designated for being owned or controlled by Igor Rotenberg. NPV Engineering Open Joint Stock Company provides management and consulting services in Russia.
Ladoga Menedzhment, OOO is being designated for being owned or controlled by Kirill Shamalov. Ladoga Menedzhment, OOO is located in Russia and engaged in deposit banking.
Renova Group is being designated for being owned or controlled by Viktor Vekselberg. Renova Group, based in Russia, is comprised of investment funds and management companies operating in the energy sector, among others, in Russia’s economy.
Designated Russian State-Owned Firms
Russia has contributed to the instability of the Government of Syria through the sales and transfer of Russian-origin military equipment in support of Assad’s regime, enabling Assad to continue carrying out attacks against Syrian citizens. These attacks have included chemical weapons attacks, which claimed the lives of hundreds of Syrian citizens.
Rosoboroneksport is a state-owned Russian weapons trading company with longstanding and ongoing ties to the Government of Syria, with billions of dollars’ worth of weapons sales over more than a decade. Rosoboroneksport is being designated under E.O. 13582 for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services in support of, the Government of Syria.
The Russian Financial Corporation Bank (RFC Bank) is being designated for being owned by Rosoboroneksport. RFC Bank incorporated in Moscow, Russia and its operations include deposit banking activities.
Designated Russian Government Officials
Andrey Akimov is the Chairman of the Management Board of state-owned Gazprombank. Akimov is being designated pursuant E.O. 13661 for being an official of the Government of the Russian Federation.
Mikhail Fradkov is the President of the Russian Institute for Strategic Studies (RISS), a major research and analytical center established by the President of the Russian Federation, which provides information support to the Presidential Administration, Federation Council, State Duma, and Security Council. Fradkov is being designated pursuant E.O. 13661 for being an official of the Government of the Russian Federation.
Sergey Fursenko is a member of the board of directors of Gazprom Neft, a subsidiary of state-owned Gazprom. Fursenko is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13661 for being an official of the Government of the Russian Federation.
Oleg Govorun is the Head of the Presidential Directorate for Social and Economic Cooperation with the Commonwealth of Independent States Member Countries. Govorun is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13661 for being an official of the Government of the Russian Federation.
Alexey Dyumin is the Governor of the Tula region of Russia. He previously headed the Special Operations Forces, which played a key role in Russia’s purported annexation of Crimea. Dyumin is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13661 for being an official of the Government of the Russian Federation.
Vladimir Kolokoltsev is the Minister of Internal Affairs and General Police of the Russian Federation. Kolokoltsev is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13661 for being an official of the Government of the Russian Federation.
Konstantin Kosachev is the Chairperson of the Council of the Federation Committee on Foreign Affairs. Kosachev is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13661 for being an official of the Government of the Russian Federation.
Andrey Kostin is the President, Chairman of the Management Board, and Member of the Supervisory Council of state-owned VTB Bank. Kostin is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13661 for being an official of the Government of the Russian Federation.
Alexey Miller is the Chairman of the Management Committee and Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of state-owned company Gazprom. Miller is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13661 for being an official of the Government of the Russian Federation.
Nikolai Patrushev is Secretary of the Russian Federation Security Council. Patrushev is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13661 for being an official of the Government of the Russian Federation.
Vladislav Reznik is a member of the Russian State Duma. Reznik is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13661 for being an official of the Government of the Russian Federation.
Evgeniy Shkolov is an Aide to the President of the Russian Federation. Shkolov is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13661 for being an official of the Government of the Russian Federation.
Alexander Torshin is the State Secretary – Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation. Torshin is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13661 for being an official of the Government of the Russian Federation.
Vladimir Ustinov is the Plenipotentiary Envoy to Russia’s Southern Federal District. Ustinov is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13661 for being an official of the Government of the Russian Federation.
Timur Valiulin is the head of the General Administration for Combatting Extremism within Russia’s Ministry of Interior. Valiulin is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13661 for being an official of the Government of the Russian Federation.
Alexander Zharov is the head of Roskomnadzor (the Federal Service for the Supervision of Communications, Information Technology, and Mass Media). Zharov is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13661 for being an official of the Government of the Russian Federation.
Viktor Zolotov is the Director of the Federal Service of National Guard Troops and Commander of the National Guard Troops of the Russian Federation. Zolotov is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13661 for being an official of the Government of the Russian Federation.