White House says Obama will sign bill imposing new sanctions on Russia 'despite reservations'

The White House has said that the United States President Barack Obama will sign a bill imposing a slew of new sanctions on Russia despite reservations.

The bill, which sanctions Russia's defence industries, was passed with an overwhelming support in Congress, reported the BBC.

White House spokesperson Josh Earnest said that the bill although sent a "confusing message" to U.S.' allies but Obama will sign it because it "preserves flexibility."

The bill would also give Obama the authority to provide lethal and non-lethal military assistance to Ukraine but will not require him to do so, the report said.