Obama Signs New Russia Sanctions Into Law, Won't Put Them in Place
December 18 2014 - 3:55PM
Dow Jones News
By Byron Tau
OBARUSSIA fill
WASHINGTON-President Barack Obama on Thursday signed a new
package of Russia sanctions into law but won't put them in place,
he said in a written statement.
"Signing this legislation does not signal a change in the
administration's sanctions policy, which we have carefully
calibrated in accordance with developments on the ground and
coordinated with our allies and partners," Mr. Obama said. He
added, "At this time, the administration does not intend to impose
sanctions under this law, but the act gives the administration
additional authorities that could be utilized, if circumstances
warranted."
Approved by Congress last week, the Ukraine Freedom Support Act
of 2014 targets Russian defense and energy interests and authorizes
additional military aid to Ukraine.
The bill was passed in response to Russia's military annexation
of the Crimean peninsula earlier this year, as well as its
involvement in a continuing conflict in neighboring Ukraine.