The White House did not rule out financial sanctions against Russia for cyber attacks

The US administration does not exclude the imposition of financial sanctions against Russia for cyber attacks on the American electoral system. This was stated by the press secretary of the White House Josh Ernest.

The official noted that the proportional response to the cyber attacks, which President Barack Obama is considering, will not necessarily be a blow to computer networks. “The circle of response accessible to the president is not limited to the cyberspect,” the spokesman continued. “There are other response measures, including financial sanctions.”

Whatever choice, Ernest made, the White House will not report the measures taken in advance.

Previously, Senator Kory Gardner, chairman of the Congress of the Congress of International Cybersecurity, suggested sanctions against Russia for attacks on computer networks.

On October 7, the American authorities first directly accused Moscow of holding a large -scale campaign in order to influence the 2016 elections, including by hacker attacks on computers of the National Committee of the Democratic Party and other political figures. This was stated in the statement of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the Ministry of Internal Security.

On October 14, US Vice President Joe Biden promised that the United States would respond to Russian cyber attacks. The United States, the politician noted, “send a signal” to Vladimir Putin. “He learns about this, and this will happen at the time that we will choose, and under the circumstances that will have the greatest effect,” Biden assured.

The media reported that the CIA was proposed to present to the White House options with a wide "secret" cyber attack directed against the Russian leadership. It was suggested that the purpose of the attack may be data on the financial fraud of persons from Putin's entourage.

On October 16, the deputy head of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Sergei Ryabkov, called the US statements "screams, as in the bazaar." “This is not even megaphone diplomacy, because there is no diplomacy here,” the official remarked. At the same time, he assured: "You won’t take us with this cry or intimidate."

Later on the same day, Putin said that the structures of the US administration "are spying on and eavesdropping on everyone." “You can expect anything from our American friends,” he added.

According to the Russian leader, the demarches, like Biden’s statement, "do not comply with international communication."

Two and a half years ago, the United States imposed sanctions against Russia, including financial, in response to aggression against Ukraine. Since then, they have repeatedly extended and tightened.

Another package of financial sanctions can be introduced in connection with the military crimes of Moscow in Syria .