For some Russian oligarchs, sanctions risk makes Putin awkward to knowMOSCOW (Reuters) - The threat of new U.S. sanctions has spread anxiety among Russia s wealthiest people that their association with President Vladimir Putin could land them on a U.S. government blacklist, members of the business elite say. The list, to be drawn up by early next year, is part of a sanctions bill passed overwhelmingly by Congress soon after Donald Trump became president and reluctantly signed by him on Aug. 2 despite his avowed wish to improve ties with Moscow. Although those included on the list would not automatically be sanctioned, six people who are part of the business elite or close to the Kremlin said it was a major concern because the criteria for inclusion and the consequences were unclear.  People are on edge,  said a senior figure in a major Russian company.  If they classify you as close to Putin, just try proving it s not the case,  the figure said.  The Americans  tactics are clear: they need to cause pain in all ways possible for those who support Putin.  While most of the business elite remains loyal to Putin, the prospect of personal sanctions   which can prevent travel abroad or access to foreign bank accounts and freeze foreign assets   has prompted some to steer clear, the sources said. A billionaire businessman who has sat on panels of business leaders with Putin and in the front row of the audience when Putin addressed conferences has adjusted his diary to avoid such occasions, a source who works closely with him said.  He s simply been trying lately to show up less next to Putin,  said the source, who spoke on condition neither he nor his boss be identified because of the sensitivity of the topic.  Because it s not clear on what basis there could be sanctions. You get the impression anyone could get hit.  A source in the entourage of a second Russian billionaire said several oligarchs had chosen the tactic of keeping a low profile to avoid inclusion in the list. One billionaire businessman in the top 100 of wealthiest Russians spoke to Reuters in person. He said he could not get any clarity from his Russian political contacts about the threat. Asked what steps he could take to protect himself if he was included on a U.S. sanctions blacklist, he said:  There s no way. You have to leave.  He did not say where he would go. Unusually for one of Russia s billionaire class   a group that presents itself as loyal to the Kremlin - he expressed frustration with senior officials, including Putin.   The leadership (of the country) does not believe that the sanctions are going to follow the hard scenario,  said the businessman, speaking on condition of anonymity.  They live in a parallel reality. No one wants to listen to business.  Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesman, told reporters on Thursday that he was not aware of any frustration among the business elite from the new sanctions.  We know nothing of such views. If they exist and appear, we are always open to discussion,  he said. Asked whether he believed that sanctions were aimed at setting up elites against Putin, Peskov said:  We are confident this is exactly the case.   The Aug. 2 sanctions legislation expanded and toughened sanctions already in force since over Russia s 2014 annexation of Ukraine s Crimea region.  The law is very bad, it s very broad, very incoherent, its application could have all sorts of consequences,  Andrei Kostin, chief executive of VTB Russia s second biggest bank, said this week, referring to the legislation as a whole. The list, to be drawn up by the Treasury Department, is set to name the most significant Russian oligarchs  as determined by their closeness to the Russian regime and their net worth . It is meant to be sent to Congress by the end of January, weeks before Russia is due to vote in a presidential election. Though he has not declared his intentions yet, most Kremlin-watchers expect Putin to run and polls show he would easily win. Sanctions lawyers say the list itself has no legal force and inclusion does not mean sanctions will follow. Other provisions of the Aug 2 law present a more immediate threat by raising the level of risk for firms that do business with entities already under sanctions. Nevertheless, Western banks have started making additional checks on people they deem to be associated with Putin, said an executive with a European bank that operates in Russia. The checks, said the executive, were prompted by the Aug. 2 sanctions law and included establishing whether the individuals, whom he did not name, had accounts with the banks concerned. The source did not say whether they were taking any action. Some people in Putin s innermost circle have already been on a U.S. sanctions blacklist since 2014.  Gennady Timchenko, an oil mogul and one of Putin s closest friends, called his inclusion in 2014  an honor for me . Timchenko s wife, Elena, had her bank card rejected the same year when she tried to pay for treatment in a German clinic because her husband was under sanctions. The planned list of oligarchs is likely to include people outside that circle, who are not unquestioning Putin loyalists yet could still be punished for their association with him.  Everyone s fearful for themselves, they re afraid of personal sanctions,  said a source close to a fourth top 100 Russian billionaire.  Because, what if the whole of the Russian establishment ends up under sanctions? No one knows, so everyone is afraid.  A senior source who is close to the government and the Kremlin said the U.S. authorities were trying to turn Putin s allies against him, especially with the presidential election approaching.  If all these threats become reality, in respect of other people as well, that will create powerful tension and discontent in the business elite,  said the source. worldnews
for russian oligarchs sanctions risk makes putin awkward knowmoscow reuters the threat new sanctions spread anxiety among russia wealthiest people association president vladimir putin could land government blacklist members business elite say the list drawn early next year part sanctions bill passed overwhelmingly congress soon donald trump became president reluctantly signed despite vowed wish improve ties moscow although included list would automatically sanctioned six people part business elite close kremlin said major concern criteria inclusion consequences unclear people edge said senior figure major russian company if classify close putin try proving case figure said the americans tactics clear need cause pain ways possible support putin while business elite remains loyal putin prospect personal sanctions prevent travel abroad access foreign bank accounts freeze foreign assets prompted steer clear sources said a billionaire businessman sat panels business leaders putin front row audience putin addressed conferences adjusted diary avoid occasions source works closely said he simply trying lately show less next putin said source spoke condition neither boss identified sensitivity topic because clear basis could sanctions you get impression anyone could get hit a source entourage second russian billionaire said several oligarchs chosen tactic keeping low profile avoid inclusion list one billionaire businessman top wealthiest russian spoke reuters person he said could get clarity russian political contacts threat asked steps could take protect included sanctions blacklist said there way you leave he say would go unusually one russia billionaire class group presents loyal kremlin expressed frustration senior officials including putin the leadership country believe sanctions going follow hard scenario said businessman speaking condition anonymity they live parallel reality no one wants listen business diary peso kremlin spokesman told reporters thursday aware frustration among business elite new sanctions we know nothing views if exist appear always open discussion said asked whether believed sanctions aimed setting elites putin peso said we confident exactly case the sanctions legislation expanded toughened sanctions already force since russia annexation ukraine crimea region the law bad broad incoherent application could sorts consequences andrew posting chief executive tb russia second biggest bank said week referring legislation whole the list drawn treasury department set name significant russian oligarchs determined closeness russian regime net worth it meant sent congress end january weeks russia due vote presidential election though declared intentions yet expect putin run polls show would easily win sanctions lawyers say list legal force inclusion mean sanctions follow other provisions aug law present immediate threat raising level risk firms business entities already sanctions nevertheless western banks started making additional checks people deem associated putin said executive european bank operates russia the checks said executive prompted sanctions law included establishing whether individuals name accounts banks concerned the source say whether taking action some people putin innermost circle already sanctions blacklist since kennedy timchenko oil mogul one putin closest friends called inclusion honor timchenko wife elena bank card rejected year tried pay treatment german clinic husband sanctions the planned list oligarchs likely include people outside circle questioning putin loyalists yet could still punished association everyone fearful afraid personal sanctions said source close fourth top russian billionaire because whole russian establishment ends sanctions no one knows everyone afraid a senior source close government kremlin said authorities trying turn putin allies especially presidential election approaching if threats become reality respect people well create powerful tension discontent business elite said source worldnews
Your task is to classify the provided input as real or fake news. Label 0 is meant for fake news, Label 1 is for real news. TEXT: For some Russian oligarchs, sanctions risk makes Putin awkward to knowMOSCOW (Reuters) - The threat of new U.S. sanctions has spread anxiety among Russia s wealthiest people that their association with President Vladimir Putin could land them on a U.S. government blacklist, members of the business elite say. The list, to be drawn up by early next year, is part of a sanctions bill passed overwhelmingly by Congress soon after Donald Trump became president and reluctantly signed by him on Aug. 2 despite his avowed wish to improve ties with Moscow. Although those included on the list would not automatically be sanctioned, six people who are part of the business elite or close to the Kremlin said it was a major concern because the criteria for inclusion and the consequences were unclear.  People are on edge,  said a senior figure in a major Russian company.  If they classify you as close to Putin, just try proving it s not the case,  the figure said.  The Americans  tactics are clear: they need to cause pain in all ways possible for those who support Putin.  While most of the business elite remains loyal to Putin, the prospect of personal sanctions   which can prevent travel abroad or access to foreign bank accounts and freeze foreign assets   has prompted some to steer clear, the sources said. A billionaire businessman who has sat on panels of business leaders with Putin and in the front row of the audience when Putin addressed conferences has adjusted his diary to avoid such occasions, a source who works closely with him said.  He s simply been trying lately to show up less next to Putin,  said the source, who spoke on condition neither he nor his boss be identified because of the sensitivity of the topic.  Because it s not clear on what basis there could be sanctions. You get the impression anyone could get hit.  A source in the entourage of a second Russian billionaire said several oligarchs had chosen the tactic of keeping a low profile to avoid inclusion in the list. One billionaire businessman in the top 100 of wealthiest Russians spoke to Reuters in person. He said he could not get any clarity from his Russian political contacts about the threat. Asked what steps he could take to protect himself if he was included on a U.S. sanctions blacklist, he said:  There s no way. You have to leave.  He did not say where he would go. Unusually for one of Russia s billionaire class   a group that presents itself as loyal to the Kremlin - he expressed frustration with senior officials, including Putin.   The leadership (of the country) does not believe that the sanctions are going to follow the hard scenario,  said the businessman, speaking on condition of anonymity.  They live in a parallel reality. No one wants to listen to business.  Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesman, told reporters on Thursday that he was not aware of any frustration among the business elite from the new sanctions.  We know nothing of such views. If they exist and appear, we are always open to discussion,  he said. Asked whether he believed that sanctions were aimed at setting up elites against Putin, Peskov said:  We are confident this is exactly the case.   The Aug. 2 sanctions legislation expanded and toughened sanctions already in force since over Russia s 2014 annexation of Ukraine s Crimea region.  The law is very bad, it s very broad, very incoherent, its application could have all sorts of consequences,  Andrei Kostin, chief executive of VTB Russia s second biggest bank, said this week, referring to the legislation as a whole. The list, to be drawn up by the Treasury Department, is set to name the most significant Russian oligarchs  as determined by their closeness to the Russian regime and their net worth . It is meant to be sent to Congress by the end of January, weeks before Russia is due to vote in a presidential election. Though he has not declared his intentions yet, most Kremlin-watchers expect Putin to run and polls show he would easily win. Sanctions lawyers say the list itself has no legal force and inclusion does not mean sanctions will follow. Other provisions of the Aug 2 law present a more immediate threat by raising the level of risk for firms that do business with entities already under sanctions. Nevertheless, Western banks have started making additional checks on people they deem to be associated with Putin, said an executive with a European bank that operates in Russia. The checks, said the executive, were prompted by the Aug. 2 sanctions law and included establishing whether the individuals, whom he did not name, had accounts with the banks concerned. The source did not say whether they were taking any action. Some people in Putin s innermost circle have already been on a U.S. sanctions blacklist since 2014.  Gennady Timchenko, an oil mogul and one of Putin s closest friends, called his inclusion in 2014  an honor for me . Timchenko s wife, Elena, had her bank card rejected the same year when she tried to pay for treatment in a German clinic because her husband was under sanctions. The planned list of oligarchs is likely to include people outside that circle, who are not unquestioning Putin loyalists yet could still be punished for their association with him.  Everyone s fearful for themselves, they re afraid of personal sanctions,  said a source close to a fourth top 100 Russian billionaire.  Because, what if the whole of the Russian establishment ends up under sanctions? No one knows, so everyone is afraid.  A senior source who is close to the government and the Kremlin said the U.S. authorities were trying to turn Putin s allies against him, especially with the presidential election approaching.  If all these threats become reality, in respect of other people as well, that will create powerful tension and discontent in the business elite,  said the source. worldnews
Your task is to classify the provided input as real or fake news. Label 0 is meant for fake news, Label 1 is for real news. TEXT: for russian oligarchs sanctions risk makes putin awkward knowmoscow reuters the threat new sanctions spread anxiety among russia wealthiest people association president vladimir putin could land government blacklist members business elite say the list drawn early next year part sanctions bill passed overwhelmingly congress soon donald trump became president reluctantly signed despite vowed wish improve ties moscow although included list would automatically sanctioned six people part business elite close kremlin said major concern criteria inclusion consequences unclear people edge said senior figure major russian company if classify close putin try proving case figure said the americans tactics clear need cause pain ways possible support putin while business elite remains loyal putin prospect personal sanctions prevent travel abroad access foreign bank accounts freeze foreign assets prompted steer clear sources said a billionaire businessman sat panels business leaders putin front row audience putin addressed conferences adjusted diary avoid occasions source works closely said he simply trying lately show less next putin said source spoke condition neither boss identified sensitivity topic because clear basis could sanctions you get impression anyone could get hit a source entourage second russian billionaire said several oligarchs chosen tactic keeping low profile avoid inclusion list one billionaire businessman top wealthiest russian spoke reuters person he said could get clarity russian political contacts threat asked steps could take protect included sanctions blacklist said there way you leave he say would go unusually one russia billionaire class group presents loyal kremlin expressed frustration senior officials including putin the leadership country believe sanctions going follow hard scenario said businessman speaking condition anonymity they live parallel reality no one wants listen business diary peso kremlin spokesman told reporters thursday aware frustration among business elite new sanctions we know nothing views if exist appear always open discussion said asked whether believed sanctions aimed setting elites putin peso said we confident exactly case the sanctions legislation expanded toughened sanctions already force since russia annexation ukraine crimea region the law bad broad incoherent application could sorts consequences andrew posting chief executive tb russia second biggest bank said week referring legislation whole the list drawn treasury department set name significant russian oligarchs determined closeness russian regime net worth it meant sent congress end january weeks russia due vote presidential election though declared intentions yet expect putin run polls show would easily win sanctions lawyers say list legal force inclusion mean sanctions follow other provisions aug law present immediate threat raising level risk firms business entities already sanctions nevertheless western banks started making additional checks people deem associated putin said executive european bank operates russia the checks said executive prompted sanctions law included establishing whether individuals name accounts banks concerned the source say whether taking action some people putin innermost circle already sanctions blacklist since kennedy timchenko oil mogul one putin closest friends called inclusion honor timchenko wife elena bank card rejected year tried pay treatment german clinic husband sanctions the planned list oligarchs likely include people outside circle questioning putin loyalists yet could still punished association everyone fearful afraid personal sanctions said source close fourth top russian billionaire because whole russian establishment ends sanctions no one knows everyone afraid a senior source close government kremlin said authorities trying turn putin allies especially presidential election approaching if threats become reality respect people well create powerful tension discontent business elite said source worldnews