21 october / 2023
Ambassador Anatoly Antonov’s answer to a media question
Question: Dear Ambassador Antonov, how would you comment on the statement made by Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian Nelson in connection to the suspension of the Rosfinmonitoring’s membership in the Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units?
Anatoly Antonov: The official’s statement is yet another example of the fact that the Administration is ready to instigate any anti-Russian initiatives. They do not want to understand the possible negative consequences of such a move. Does anyone in their right mind benefit from Russia’s non-participation the Egmont Group? Hardly.
The United States will definitely suffer as well, since Rosfinmonitoring will be forced to pause a number of international financial investigations.
The official’s claim that Russia’s sanctions “evasion” allegedly turns it into a “safe haven for illicit assets” is an outright lie. Russia’s national anti-money laundering system is one of the most advanced in the world. The FATF assessment mission held in 2019 proved it. By the way, it also included US experts.
In general, as always, “double” standards, the use of multilateral structures to benefit American interests and to the detriment of international cooperation.
Anatoly Antonov: The official’s statement is yet another example of the fact that the Administration is ready to instigate any anti-Russian initiatives. They do not want to understand the possible negative consequences of such a move. Does anyone in their right mind benefit from Russia’s non-participation the Egmont Group? Hardly.
The United States will definitely suffer as well, since Rosfinmonitoring will be forced to pause a number of international financial investigations.
The official’s claim that Russia’s sanctions “evasion” allegedly turns it into a “safe haven for illicit assets” is an outright lie. Russia’s national anti-money laundering system is one of the most advanced in the world. The FATF assessment mission held in 2019 proved it. By the way, it also included US experts.
In general, as always, “double” standards, the use of multilateral structures to benefit American interests and to the detriment of international cooperation.
