U.S. Treasury authorizes transactions with the Russian Federal Security Service.

The United States government lessened the restrictive measures applied in relation to the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB). The Office of Foreign Assets Control, which is part of the Treasury Department, granted a general license to ease the sanctions on February 2, 2017.

Subject to certain exceptions, the license authorizes all transactions and activities with the FSB that were proscribed under presidential executive orders of April 1, 2015 and December 28, 2016.

In line with the license, “requesting, receiving, utilizing, paying for, or dealing in licenses, permits, certifications, or notifications issued or registered by the Federal Security Service (FSB) for the importation, distribution, or use of information technology products in the Russian Federation,” is now permitted.

Still, the general license specifies that certain goods covered under export control regulations require further clearance from the U.S. Department of Commerce. The fee due for the licenses, permits, certifications, and notifications is set not to exceed USD5,000 in a calendar year.

Aside from the limited set of exemptions that the general license lists out, it does not authorize the exportation, re-exportation, or provision of goods or technology to or on behalf of the Federal Security Service.

The new license does not unblock any of the U.S. bank accounts that were frozen under prior executive orders. Similarly, the license does not authorize the exportation, re-exportation, or the provision of any goods, technology, or services to Crimea.

Dmitry Peskov, the Russian President’s spokesman, declined to comment on the United States’ decision. “In regards to rocket engines, our U.S. counterparts have never imposed any sanctions that could damage their own interests,” Mr. Peskov said.