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Treasury Department Eases Some Cybersanctions Against Russia

U.S. businesses will be able to make small transactions with the Russian Federal Security Service, an intelligence agency.
Posted at 3:30 PM, Feb 02, 2017
and last updated 2017-02-02 15:30:00-05

The U.S. Treasury Department is easing some of the cybersanctions against Russia.

Former President Barack Obama ordered the sanctions in December after U.S. intelligence concluded Russia's Federal Security Service, or FSB, helped hack the Democratic National Committee's computer systems.

U.S. intelligence officials claim that hack and another targeting Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign were part of a Russian attempt to help President Donald Trump win the U.S. election.

Easing the sanctions will let American companies make small transactions with the FSB to gain permits and other certifications needed to import tech products into Russia.

Trump has said he might eventually cut the most recent Russian sanctions. For now, all other sanctions remain in place.