A previous version incorrectly stated the notice would allow for exports directly to the Russian intelligence agency. Exports are still prohibited to the FSB.

A new Treasury Department regulation would allow information-technology exports to Russia, a move the White House spokesman denied was tied to a loosening of sanctions against the country.

The U.S.’s Office of Foreign Asset Control, in what’s called a general license, said it will now permit IT exports that are reviewed by the FSB — a successor organization to the KGB identified in English as the Federal Security Service — that don’t exceed $5,000 per year. Exports still aren’t allowed to the Crimea region of Ukraine, which Russia has claimed as its own, or directly to the intelligence agency.

Treasury didn’t immediately offer a comment, but White House spokesman Sean Spicer said the move did not signal an easing of sanctions against the country. “We are not easing sanctions against Russia,” Spicer said.

He said the Treasury Department often goes back and carves out certain industries. “It is a regular course of action that Treasury does quite often when there are sanctions imposed.”

The sanctions in question were imposed by President Barack Obama, first over the Crimea annexation and subsequently over Russia’s role in apparently politically motivated hacking during the U.S. presidential campaign.

A senior Treasury official said they were inundated with complaints by a number of U.S. exporters in December. There was no way to ship cell phones or tablets — which have low-level encryption — to Russia without dealing with the FSB, the official said.

At a separate event, President Donald Trump echoed that denial. “I haven’t eased anything,” he said.

Nonetheless, the ruble USDRUB, +0.24% shot up against the dollar on the U.S. move.

See:Obama sanctions Russia over cyberhacking, expels Russian diplomats

And:Russia dismisses speculation that it will retaliate against U.S. diplomats

Trump held a weekend phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin but has yet to commit to relaxing sanctions with that country.