Exclusive: Results of Russian sanctions 'pretty close' to hopes so far - U.S. official

FILE PHOTO: National flags of Russia and the U.S. fly at Vnukovo International Airport in Moscow, Russia April 11, 2017. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. sanctions imposed last week on Russia generated results that were "pretty close" to Washington's hopes, a senior Biden administration official said on Friday, as tensions appeared to ease between the countries over Ukraine.

"Our intention was to act in a proportionate manner, and to be targeted in our approach, and to signal that we had the capacity to impose far greater costs if Russia continued or escalated its behavior," said Daleep Singh, a top White House international economic aide, in an interview.