As penalty for 'election-meddling', US Senate approves new Russia sanctions

After Moscow was found to have meddled in the 2016 presidential election, the United States Senate as punishment, has approved new sanctions against Russia.

However, the legislation also restricts the White House from easing sanctions without congressional approval, reports the Guardian.

The amendment on Russia, which passed in a 97-2 vote on Wednesday, was attached to a bill to strengthen sanctions on Iran. It codifies the existing sanctions against Russia which were established by Barack Obama's executive orders and imposes new sanctions against Moscow for its interference in the 2016 elections, besides aggression in Ukraine and support for the Syrian government.

The agreement has also established a process for the Congress to review any attempt by Presidnent Donald Trump to relax, suspend or terminate the sanctions.

Under the amendment, sanctions will be imposed on Russians who have been found guilty of human rights abuses, supplied weapons to the Assad regime or have conducted cyber-attacks on behalf of the Russian government, among other categories.

Last December, the Obama administration responded to Russia's provocations with sanctions on Russia's central intelligence services.

Trump has continued to downplay and deny that Russia interfered in the US election to benefit his campaign.