The US has announced sanctions against Russia in response to what it says are cyber-attacks and other hostile acts.
The measures are aimed at deterring “Russia’s harmful foreign activities”, the White House said on Thursday.
The sanctions, detailed in an executive order signed by President Joe Biden, target dozens of Russian entities, officials and diplomats.
The US accuses Russia of malicious cyber-activity and interference in presidential elections.
The Russian government has denied the allegations and called any new sanctions “illegal”.
The measures come at a tense time for relations between the two countries.
Last month the US targeted seven Russian officials and more than a dozen government entities over the poisoning of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny. Russia says it had no part in the poisoning.
In a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, Mr Biden vowed to defend US national interests “firmly”, while proposing a meeting with Mr Putin to find areas where the two countries could work together.
Source:Fiilafmonline/BBC
