Russia’s Security Council is reportedly bracing for tougher U.S. sanctions

Russia’s Security Council thinks tougher U.S. sanctions are coming. According to the magazine RBC, the group has already collected action plans from Russia’s Finance Ministry, Economic Development Ministry, Industry and Trade Ministry, Central Bank, Vnesheconombank, Rostec, and other agencies.

The Security Council is reportedly exploring the possibility of signing international agreements condemning the application of American laws outside the United States, apparently hoping to insulate Russia against the secondary sanctions imposed by the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act. Russian officials might also seek to expedite the purchase of technological products that might fall under future U.S. sanctions, and develop “alternative international payment systems” based on “quantum technologies.” Spokespeople for Russia’s Security Council refused to comment on the rumors.

The U.S. Treasury Department most recently targeted Russia on August 27, in response to Moscow’s alleged role in the Salisbury nerve-agent attack. Since the beginning of the year, the U.S. Congress has introduced more than a dozen draft laws that would impose additional sanctions on Russia.