US gets tougher with Russians

SANCTIONS: BLOW TO TRUMP’S DESIRE FOR BETTER TIES

Treasury targets 19 citizens, five entities for election meddling and cyber attacks.

By imposing new sanctions on Russia and condemning a suspected Russian chemical attack in Britain, Washington has hinted at a tougher stance toward Moscow despite President Donald Trump’s stated desire for better ties.

The US Treasury slapped sanctions on 19 Russian citizens and five entities for election meddling and cyber attacks in the most significant steps the US has taken against Russia since Trump took office amid US intelligence agency allegations that Moscow tried to help him win the 2016 election.

While the Treasury put off targeting oligarchs and officials close to Russian President Vladimir Putin, it said further sanctions were coming and for the first time blamed Moscow for cyber attacks stretching back at least two years that targeted the US power grid, including nuclear facilities.

After initially equivocating about a chemical attack on a former Russian double agent in England, the White House joined a statement by the leaders of Britain, France and Germany in which they said they “abhor the attack” and blamed it on Moscow. Moscow has denied any involvement.

Thursday’s actions have caused some Russia analysts to ask whether the administration is taking a more confrontational stance.