Spox: Decision on new sanctions made before Trump’s inauguration

WASHINGTON, Mar 28 (PRIME) -- The decision to impose new sanctions against Russian companies was made in the last days of U.S. President Barak Obama’s presidency, a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department told PRIME on Tuesday.

On March 21, the U.S. slapped sanctions against eight Russian companies, including Rosoboronexport, due to a non-proliferation law on Syria, Iran and North Korea. Russia’s Foreign Ministry said the new restrictions do not cohere with the U.S. statements prioritizing fight with terrorism, and undermine possible cooperation to defeat ISIS.

“A decision to introduce the sanctions … was made by the State Department on January 17… and the new administration studied it before sending it to Congress,” the spokesperson said.

The new U.S. President Donald Trump entered office on March 20.

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