U.S. eases sanctions on Russian intelligence agency

The U.S. Treasury Department on Thursday issued a notice easing sanctions on a Russian intelligence agency that former President Barack Obama sanctioned over Moscow's alleged hacking activities in last year's U.S. presidential election.

In a statement, the Treasury Department authorizes certain transactions with the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation (FSB) that are needed to request approval for the importation, distribution, or use of certain information technology products in Russia.

Last December, Obama imposed sanctions on two major Russian intelligence services -- the Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) and the FSB, four individual officers of the GRU and three companies that allegedly provided material support for hacking operations aiming to interfere in the U.S. presidential elections.

The U.S. also ordered the expulsion of 35 Russian diplomats suspected of spying and closed two compounds belonging to the Russian Embassy in response to "Russia's interference in the U.S. election and to a pattern of harassment of our diplomats overseas."

U.S. President Donald Trump has hinted that he could lift the sanctions against Russia if Moscow proved helpful in battling terrorists and reaching other goals important to the United States.

Trump's openly pro-Russia stance has been scrutinized recently amid U.S. intelligence's conclusion that Russia helped him win the presidential election through hacking activities.

Russia has denied being behind the cyber-intrusions, which targeted the Democratic National Committee and the private emails of Hillary Clinton's campaign Chairman John Podesta. Trump has repeatedly said he doubts the veracity of U.S. intelligence blaming Moscow for the hacks. Enditem