US President Barack Obama has extended sanctions against Russia for one year. The economic standoff continues despite the peace agreement signed in Minsk and the current ceasefire in eastern Ukraine. The bulk of restrictions concerns major energy, finance, and defense companies. In addition, the sanctions are targeted at people in Vladimir Putin’s inner circle. In response, Putin banned food imports from countries that supported the sanctions against Russia.
Interestingly, Obama had the chance to decide on whether to impose further sanctions 90 days before the end of a one-year term of restrictive measures. Thus, the US leader issued an order to extend a series of sanctions against Russia over its role in the Ukraine crisis by one year, the White House said. Several days before, Congress was notified of the need of such a measure.
The first move to punish Russia for its stance over Ukraine was taken in March 6, 2014 in light of the “unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States.”
