US law sets framework for future Russian sanctions

On 13 December 2014, the US Congress passed the Ukraine Freedom Support Act of 2014 (H.R. 5859) seeking to impose new sanctions against Russia and in support of Ukraine. On 18 December, President Obama signed the Act into law, while stating that, at present, the Administration does not intend to impose new sanctions pursuant to the Act. Scott Balber of Herbert Smith Freehills considers the scope of the new statute.