State Department shifts Russia sanctions authority; cites congressional visibility; flags concerns about Georgia

Reporters asked about recent U.S. sanctions targeting evasion and about a decision to shift authorities. The State Department spokesperson said the administration moved elements of its sanctions regime under an authority referred to in the briefing as “Executive Act Order 13226” to ensure Congress has full visibility on both sanctions and any contemplated removals.

The spokesperson said the broader sanctions and export control regime against Russia has been effective in harming Russia's ability to finance its war machine, and cited recent reporting about Russian tankers facing difficulties offloading oil as evidence of the measures' impact. On Georgia, the spokesperson said the United States continues to be concerned by actions taken by the Georgian government to crack down on opposition and that the U.S. has implemented sanctions, suspended assistance, and suspended its overall strategic relationship in response.

Why it matters: Sanctions authorities and the involvement of Congress affect diplomatic leverage and the durability of measures across administrations. U.S. actions on Georgia speak to the broader U.S. emphasis on democratic governance and human rights.

Details and context: The spokesperson declined to predict whether a future administration would change sanctions, saying such decisions are for the incoming administration. The briefing noted that sanctions and export controls have been used in tandem to restrict Russian economic activity and that shifting the legal authority can give Congress more oversight of both imposition and removal.

Ending: The State Department said it hopes the sanctions regime will remain effective; it also said it will continue to engage on concerns about democratic backsliding in countries such as Georgia.