The sports category has moved to a new website.
ADVERTISEMENT

US tweaks sanctions on Russia spy service FSB

The White House quickly denied reports that the move constituted an "easing" of pressure on Russia by the Trump administration.

A man walks past the headquarters of the FSB security service, the successor to the KGB in central Moscow on December 30, 2016

The White House quickly denied reports that the move constituted an "easing" of pressure on Russia by the new administration of President Donald Trump.

"I haven't eased anything," Trump said during a meeting with executives of motorcycle maker Harley-Davidson.

The previous Barack Obama administration slapped a total ban on Americans' transactions with the FSB on December 29 in retaliation for alleged Russian interference in the US elections.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Treasury ruled Thursday, however, that US importers in Russia who are required to obtain FSB permissions for certain imports for sale to Russian entities -- not to the FSB -- would be able to do so.

Specifically they are allowed to pay the FSB up to $5,000 a year in fees for the permissions.

The ruling does not in itself permit any specific sales of US goods to Russia; certain technology goods are already tightly restricted under US rules.

Doug Jacobson of Washington trade law office Jacobson Burton Kelly PLLC called the move "a very minor issue."

It "allows US companies to obtain licenses and approvals from FSB to import certain software and IT equipment containing encryption into Russia," he said on Twitter.

ADVERTISEMENT

"This does not permit sales to FSB. Only allows US persons to deal with FSB to obtain permits to import such items into Russia."

The Trump administration has been expected to attempt to reset relations with Russia after they sank to the lowest level in decades under Obama, in part due to Moscow's support for embattled Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Russia's 2014 invasion and annexation of Ukraine's Crimea region.

In December, Obama expelled what the White House called 35 Russian "intelligence operatives" and placed the FSB and other Russian agencies and individuals on its sanctions blacklist after US intelligence agencies said that President Vladimir Putin personally directed an effort to interfere with the US presidential election via computer hacking and disinformation campaigns.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: news@pulselive.co.ke

Recommended articles

Marianne Kitany tactfully speaks on whether Ruto should fire her ex, CS Linturi

Marianne Kitany tactfully speaks on whether Ruto should fire her ex, CS Linturi

Gov't & opposition officials clash at Rita Tinina's burial ceremony

Gov't & opposition officials clash at Rita Tinina's burial ceremony

CS Murkomen unveils new number plates for cars that will get preferential treatment

CS Murkomen unveils new number plates for cars that will get preferential treatment

Moi University students escape through windows after road crash

Moi University students escape through windows after road crash

57,000 civil servants to have their rent reviewed upwards

57,000 civil servants to have their rent reviewed upwards

Interesting story of U.S. Army Specialist Wambui who comes from a military family

Interesting story of U.S. Army Specialist Wambui who comes from a military family

Heroic GSU officer dies after jumping out of a taxi along Thika Super Highway

Heroic GSU officer dies after jumping out of a taxi along Thika Super Highway

DJ Joe Mfalme detained for 14 more days

DJ Joe Mfalme detained for 14 more days

Explosive blows up hotel next to police station, deaths reported

Explosive blows up hotel next to police station, deaths reported

ADVERTISEMENT