The US Treasury eased sanctions against the FSB

The U.S. Treasury Department on Thursday eased sanctions against Russia's Federal Security Service, allowing U.S. companies to engage in transactions and activities involving the FSB to obtain licenses and permits to import, distribute or use certain information technology products in Russia. This was reported on the website of the US Treasury.

The corresponding document entitled “General License No. 1” was published on the website of the American Ministry of Finance. We are talking about transactions and actions prohibited by US presidential decrees of April 1, 2015 and December 28, 2016. It is noted that only “certain” transactions and actions with the FSB are permitted.

Earlier, RBC reported that due to US sanctions against the FSB, a problem arose with the import of devices with encryption functions into Russia, including mobile phones and wireless mice. Russian legislation requires that the import of any such devices be coordinated with the FSB. RBC noted that the sanctions prohibiting American companies from interacting with the FSB entailed some risks for the supply of American electronics to Russia.