WASHINGTON: The US government has advised American banks to stay away from Russia’s planned bond issue, citing ‘high’ risks as US sanctions remain on Moscow, sources close to the issue said on Thursday. Both the US State and Treasury departments pointed out the risks involved in response to queries from the private sector on the issue, according to the sources. Russia is said to be planning a $3 billion bond issue which has reportedly interested US banks. But with the country under tough sanctions over its invasion and annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, US businesses have to be wary of breaking Treasury rules on doing business with Russian entities, especially sanctions on Russian oil firms. As per the sources, government sees that US banks participating in the bond issue could be acting contrary to US foreign policy interests.