UPDATING: Donald Trump Just Eased Some Sanctions on Russia
No Announcement Made to Public by Trump Administration
President Donald Trump, with no consultation with the legislative branch and with no Treasury Secretary in place, just eased some sanctions against Russia, days after speaking with Vladimir Putin.
“The US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control on Thursday published an amendment to President Barack Obama’s sanctions order against Russia to ‘authorize certain transactions‘ with Russia’s Federal Security Service,” Business Insider reports.Â
Trump just relaxed sanctions on the FSB: https://t.co/CdtVCZB5XQ pic.twitter.com/zSSsMN9iFk
— Michael Weiss (@michaeldweiss) February 2, 2017
Russia’s Federal Security Service, known as the FSB, is the successor to the infamous KGB.
MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell reports:
BREAKING: Treasury department easing U.S. sanctions on Russia https://t.co/vysKrZKUAz
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) February 2, 2017
All 17 of America’s intelligence agencies agreed that Russia was behind the hacking of US political institutions during the 2016 election. Before leaving office President Barack Obama initiated dramatic sanctions on Russia in response to those acts.
It’s important to note that no announcement was made to the American public by the Trump administration.
UPDATE: 1:33 PM EST –
MSNBC updates, calls it “modifying” sanctions, but adds it’s being “read as a wink and a nod” by Russia, meaning an offering by the Trump administration.
More:
White House says Russia sanctions weren’t eased, just “technical correction.†Funny, Russians says they were eased. https://t.co/s6TvT27a76 pic.twitter.com/l82m9o012V
— John Aravosis (@aravosis) February 2, 2017
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This is a breaking news and developing story. Details may change. This story will be updated, and NCRM will likely publish follow-up stories on this news. Stay tuned and refresh for updates.Â

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