US Treasury Secretary about purpose of anti-Russian sanctions

"The sanctions against Russia are targeted at the centers of power, where the decisions are being made," US Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew said.

According to him, economic sanctions are a powerful policy weapon, which should not be wielded frivolously.

"We can’t shy away from using sanctions because it will slow down growth," Reuters cited him as saying.

The US Treasury Secretary also pointed out that the US should lift sanctions against those countries which have changed their policies.

He recalled the lifting of sanctions against Tehran after the signing of the nuclear agreement, RIA Novosti reports.