US Completing List of Russian Defense and Intel Figures Targeted Under Sanctions

The US State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert said on Tuesday that the United States was finalizing the work on the new sanctions list of Individuals allegedly linked to Russia's defense and intelligence sectors.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — "The sanctions bill includes a requirement that the State Department identify individuals linked to Russian defense and also intelligence operations that could be subject to new penalties. So we are working to try to complete that process," Heather Nauert told reporters at a press briefing.

Nauert was referring to new sanctions passed by the US congress and signed into law by US President Donald Trump in August.

"Our people who are working on it, they tell me that it's pretty complicated, that it can take some time, that they're working to complete the process and provide the public guidance…as soon as possible," Nauert said.

The sanctions law required the Trump administration to identify by October 1 individuals operating on behalf of Russia's defense and intelligence sectors so they can potentially be targeted under the legislation. The Trump administration has yet to comply with the requirement, and several US senators have expressed their concerns about the delay.