The United States is seeking to confiscate a luxury yacht linked to a Russian oligarch, despite the external diplomatic challenges it could pose, according to the New York Times.
The newspaper reported that the cost of the yacht “Madame Goo” is $156 million and is located in Dubai. His presence there had previously caused no problems, but the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the imposition of sanctions against Russia brought him into the limelight.
In June, the United States designated a yacht linked to Andrey Skoch, a sanctioned Russian steel magnate and MP, as restricted property.
This means the yacht cannot use US companies to service it, hire US citizens, or even use dollars. The Justice Department is currently taking steps to arrest “Madame Guo,” according to people familiar with the plan who spoke to the newspaper.
The Kremlin is also using companies to obtain military supplies that the West is trying to keep out of Russia’s reach, according to a Western official involved in the Russian sanctions effort.
Emirati officials confirmed in a statement that they are “very serious about protecting the integrity of the global financial system,” the newspaper said.
