US big business called for easing possible sanctions against Russia

Representatives of US big business have asked the Joe Biden administration and Congress not to immediately impose sanctions that are being prepared in case of a Russian invasion of Ukraine, Reuters reports.

The agency reports at least three requests to the White House and Congress - from "an industry group representing Chevron, General Electric and other major US companies with business in Russia", from the American Petroleum Institute , presented by the agency as a lobbyist for the US oil and gas industry, and also from energy companies. “Major energy companies are calling on Congress to limit the scope and duration of sanctions,” writes Reuters.

An industry group from Chevron and General Electric is asking the White House to "give companies the opportunity to meet their obligations, and also to consider removing certain products from the sanctions list." They are also asking for a delay to complete post-sanction activities so that their assets are not confiscated.

The American Petroleum Institute is discussing possible sanctions with congressmen. “Sanctions should be as targeted as possible to limit the potential damage to the competitiveness of American companies,” a representative of the institute explained to the agency.

A spokesman for the US Treasury, in response to a request for comment by Reuters, said: "We are ready to cause serious damage to the Russian economy, minimizing undesirable side effects."