US may introduce sanctions against Russia

The US is expected to impose sanctions to punish Russia for the situation around Alexei Navalny as early as March 2, two sources familiar with the matter said, Report informs referring to Reuters.

The US was expected to impose sanctions under two executive orders - 13661, which was issued after the referendum on reunification with Russia held in Crimea; 13382, issued in 2005 to combat the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction - and under the Chemical and Biological Weapons Control and Warfare Elimination Act of 1991 (CBW), said the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Reuters sources declined to clarify who exactly the new restrictive measures are planned against but noted that Washington would retain the sanctions exemptions that apply to foreign aid and also include some export licenses for Russia.