The US ramped up pressure on Russia over cyber attacks, including Moscow’s interference in the 2016 presidential elections, as it unveiled sanctions on individuals and entities including Russian intelligence services.
The move comes amid intense pressure on Donald Trump to take harsher action against President Vladimir Putin as the US president fends off allegations that his election campaign was aided by Russia. Tension between Russia and the West have escalated further in recent days following the attempted murder of former double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter in a nerve agent attack in the UK this month.
On Thursday, the leaders of the US, France and Germany joined Britain’s prime minister in blaming Russia for the attack. The US Treasury said the recent use of a military-grade nerve agent in an attempt to murder two UK citizens was sign of “reckless and irresponsible conduct” by the country’s government.