Donald Trump relaxes Obama's sanctions on Russia to allow 'transactions' with FSB
DONALD TRUMP’S administration has officially loosened Obama’s sanctions on the Russian security service.
Trump's team has altered sanctions on the FSB
The Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) said it was necessary to authorise “certain” transactions with the Federal Security Service (FSB).
Cyber-sanctions were previously put in place by former President Barack Obama
US intelligence agencies accused the FSB of involvement in hacking of Democratic organizations during the 2016 presidential election.
The Treasury today said some business with the FSB is “necessary and ordinarily incident to requesting certain licenses and authorizations for the importation, distribution, or use of certain information technology products in the Russian Federation”.
The statement also claimed loosening sanctions was appropriate in order for “certain actions or investigations involving, the FSB”.
Russian leader Vladimir Putin has always denied hacking accusations.
Vladimir Putin denies Moscow has any involvement in US hacking
Tensions had been running high between Washington and Moscow after the hacking accusations.
The alterations to Obama’s sanctions come one day after three were arrested in Russia and charged with committing treason in the interests of the United States for allegedly working with US intelligence services.
Russia was accused of hacking in the US elections
Two are officers in the Federal Security Service and one is an employee of cyber security firm Kaspersky Lab.
US intelligence officials were looking into whether the president had a hand in his election from the Russian Government.
During the election his nearest rival Hilary Clinton’s emails were hacked and released.
It is argued this helped elect the billionaire over Clinton.