Treasury Department Exempts Russian Espionage Agency From Sanctions Imposed Over Election Hacking

Politico reports:

The Trump administration on Thursday relaxed the sanctions that the Obama administration placed on a Russian spy agency in retaliation for its alleged cyberattacks. The “general license” issued by the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control appears to authorize U.S. companies to continue requesting licenses from Russia’s Federal Security Service, or FSB, to sell American technology products in the country.

The FSB was one of several individuals and entities former President Barack Obama hit with penalties over the suspected cyber assault that destabilized the Democratic Party and roiled Hillary Clinton’s campaign. President Donald Trump has said that he is considering whether to reverse Obama’s sanctions on Moscow in exchange for increased Russian cooperation in the fight against the Islamic State.