The United States has decided to lift sanctions against Karina Rotenberg, the wife of Russian billionaire and close Putin associate Boris Rotenberg. The move, announced by the Treasury Department on Wednesday, comes without a clear explanation from officials.
Karina Rotenberg, born in St. Petersburg in 1978, was originally sanctioned in March 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Notably, she is a U.S. citizen, a fact that had previously complicated her financial dealings with her husband. Her citizenship placed her under scrutiny even before the sanctions were applied, making it challenging for her to receive funds from Boris, who grew up with Putin and built his fortune through ventures like SMP Bank.
The couple married in 2009, and Karina became known for a lavish lifestyle centered on horseback riding and high-profile appearances. Russian former world chess champion and activist Garry Kasparov criticized the decision on social media, accusing the Trump administration of favoring adversaries while imposing tariffs on allies.
On the same day, the Treasury imposed new sanctions on several Russian individuals and entities accused of supporting Houthi rebels in Yemen. These include two captains of a cargo ship that traveled from Russian-occupied Crimea to Yemen in 2024. The Treasury alleged that this network procured weapons, sensitive goods, and stolen Ukrainian grain for the Houthis, who have been attacking Red Sea shipping.
Separately, reports of suspected U.S. airstrikes targeting Houthi-controlled areas surfaced, following controversial strikes in March that sparked debate over senior officials using the Signal messaging app to discuss military plans.
The decision to lift sanctions on Karina Rotenberg highlights the complex interplay of personal and geopolitical factors in U.S. foreign policy, while other actions target Russian-linked networks aiding Houthi activities.