Obama extended sanctions against Russia because of Crimea

US President Barack Obama extended sanctions against Russia for a year due to the situation in Ukraine, signing the corresponding presidential decree, this is stated in the document on the White House website.

“The actions and politics that this decree is responsible for, continue to pose an extraordinary and extreme threat to national security and US foreign policy,” the disposal says.

Obama, in addition, extended sanctions against several countries, including Iran and Cuba, as well as in relation to "terrorists who threaten to disrupt the peace process in the Middle East."

Earlier at the Gaidar Forum, Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov predicted the “quick” lifting of sanctions with the Russian Federation.

In December 2016, the United States expanded the list of persons falling under sanctions. It contained 26 companies (including several Novateka divisions), as well as billionaire Evgeny Prigozhin.

The European Council also extended the sanctions against Russia until July 31, 2017, deputies from the Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol who are elected to the State Duma are also subject to their effect.

For the first time, Obama imposed sanctions against Russia in 2014 due to joining the country of Crimea and an armed conflict in the Donbass.