Russian Sanctions Shed New Light On Connections To Trump Campaign

A statement on sanctions from the Treasury Department has revealed that Konstantin Kilimnik shared sensitive polling information with the Russian government. Kilimnik has long been accused of acting as a liaison between the 2016 Trump campaign and Russia, but Thursday’s press release goes much further with the implication of crimes than previous official charges.

Kilimnik was vaguely implicated by Robert Mueller’s probe into ties between Trump and Russia after the election. Mueller found that Paul Manafort had shared polling information with Kilimnik and lied about it when asked by investigators.

What Kilimnik did with that information was never revealed. Nevertheless, Kilimnik appeared over 150 times in the report and was indicted for obstruction of justice. He’s never appeared to face the charges, prompting a $250,000 reward from the FBI.

A subsequent congressional investigation was harsher, portraying Kilimnick as a Russian intelligence agent rather than a mere political consultant. Kilimnik denied the accusation, but Thursday’s statement leaves little doubt as to the government’s conclusion.

“Konstantin Kilimnik is a Russian and Ukrainian political consultant and known Russian Intelligence Services agent implementing influence operations on their behalf,” the announcement reads. “During the 2016 U.S. presidential election campaign, Kilimnik provided the Russian Intelligence Services with sensitive information on polling and campaign strategy.”

The Treasury Department’s statement doesn’t mention what information led to the stronger stance on Kilimnick or what specific polling information he shared with Russian intelligence.

Like the others implicated in the newest wave of sanctions, Kilimnik will have his U.S. assets frozen and anyone who does business with him “may expose themselves to secondary sanctions or be subject to an enforcement action.”

The action comes as tensions rise between Russia and the U.S. Russia has begun amassing troops along its border with Ukraine, sparking fears of an invasion. Biden reportedly plans to impose a range of nationwide sanctions and expel diplomats from the Russian embassy.

In March, comments from President Joe Biden calling Putin a “killer” and promising consequences for Russia’s election interference prompted Russia to recall its ambassador.