
The Trump administration is moving to increase its response to Russia over its actions in Ukraine, officials told The Hill.
The State Department on Tuesday authorized U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley to take direct action to sanction Russia for its aggression in Ukraine.
Haley has not been shy about criticizing Russia over the crisis in Ukraine and has said the U.K. will not be intimidated.
But the State Department said Haley will be given a “blank check” to escalate the U-N sanctions if necessary.
The move comes amid heightened tensions between the United States and Russia over Ukraine.
President Donald Trump has called for a “new, tougher approach” to Russia and has ordered a military strike against the country over its aggression against its neighbors in the region.
The White House has also warned of a U.D.C. embargo against the Russian economy, while Tillerson has warned the Trump administration against interfering in U.
Ns internal affairs.
Trump’s foreign policy team has been busy trying to tamp down expectations of a more aggressive response from the Trump White House.
Senior State Department officials have been discussing the possibility of more sanctions against Russia, including potential financial sanctions against the state-owned oil giant Rosneft, and the potential for additional U.n. sanctions against Russian officials and their businesses.