U.S. sanctions in W. Balkans target Russian influence

"With these designations, the U.S. Government aims to change the behavior of those involved and combat local corruption, organized crime, and the illicit deals and influence peddling that advance Russian malign influence," the Department of State said in a statement on Thursday.

In Bosnia, the U.S. is sanctioning politician and businessman Savo Cvijetinovic, minister of industry, energy and mining of the Serb Republic Petar Djokic and Dusko Perovic, who is the head of the Serb Republic's representational office in Moscow. It is also sanctioning local company BN Inzinjering for its links to Cvijetinovic.

In Montenegro, the U.S. imposed sanctions on businessmen Miodrag Davidovic and Branislav Micunovic.

The U.S. is also sanctioning businessman Sergey Samsonenko and his wife Irina Samsonenko, who have dual citizenships of Russia and North Macedonia, and Ratka Kunoska Kamceva, morther of local businessman Jordan Kamcev. It is also sanctioning companies with links to them, Sistina Lajf Kear Sentar, Bet City, Orka Holding, Orka Fajnans and Kamchev Konsalting.

Furthermore, In Serbia the U.S. sanctioned Misa Vacic, president of the Serbian Right Party, and politician and businessman Nenad Popovic with 12 of his Russia-related business entities.

As a result of the measures, all property and interests in property of the sanctioned individuals that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked. Thus, all transactions by U.S. persons within the United States that involve any property of designated persons are prohibited.