WASHINGTON: The United States disapproves of a decision by Bahrain to sign an investment cooperation deal with Russia at a time when US and European governments are imposing sanctions on Moscow over the Ukraine crisis, an official said.
“With Russia continuing its efforts to destabilize Ukraine, this is not the time for any country to conduct business as usual with Russia,” a US State Department official said.
“We have raised these concerns with the Bahraini government.”
In a statement on Tuesday, the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) said it had signed a memorandum of understanding with Bahraini sovereign wealth fund Mumtalakat to identify and work together on investment opportunities in their countries.
The deal between the funds, signed after a visit to Moscow by Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa.
On Monday, the US imposed sanctions on seven Russians and 17 companies linked to Russian President Vladimir Putin. On Tuesday, the European Union announced asset freezes and travel bans on 15 Russians and Ukrainians.
