Barack Obama approves new sanctions against Russia

Photo: AP photo

U.S. President Barack Obama supported the decision of the U.S. Congress to impose new sanctions against Russia and provide assistance to Ukraine, a written statement from White House spokesman Jay Carney said.

The new measures will be taken against those who is responsible for acts of violence against the Ukrainian people, or undermines the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, peace and stability in the country.

The document gives Kiev guarantees on the loan worth $1 billion and financial assistance worth $150 million. It also takes account of the imposition of sanctions for the unification of the Crimea. The new sanctions will also affect the people either involved in large-scale corruption or responsible for it.

Earlier, the U.S. House of Representatives has already passed a similar bill, which President Obama may sign. For the time being, the approved sanctions touch upon certain Russian officials, as well as trade in dual-purpose goods.

Obama himself acknowledged that he could not show influence on Russia's position in the Crimea. He also admitted that the sanctions against Russia would have a negative impact on the economies of the West.