U.S. President Barack Obama who is leaving his post has extended sanctions imposed on Russia in March 2014 over the situation in Ukraine for one year, the White House has reported.

"In accordance with this provision, I have sent to the Federal Register for publication the enclosed notice stating that the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13660 of March 6, 2014, is to continue in effect beyond March 6, 2017," Obama said in a letter.

The president's notice stating that the emergency is to continue in effect is to be published in the Federal Register and transmitted to the Congress.

Obama wrote a letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate that the sanctions against Russia are extended.

"The actions and policies of persons that undermine democratic processes and institutions in Ukraine; threaten its peace, security, stability, sovereignty, and territorial integrity; and contribute to the misappropriation of its assets, as well as the actions and policies of the Government of the Russian Federation, including its purported annexation of Crimea and its use of force in Ukraine, continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States. Therefore, I have determined that it is necessary to continue the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13660 with respect to Ukraine," the U.S. president said.

First executive order 13660 blocking property of certain persons contributing to the situation in Ukraine was published on March 6, 2014.

The second order 13661 was signed on March 16, 2014. It expanded sanctions against some Russian officials contributing to the situation in Ukraine. The third order (13662) was signed on March 20, 2014. It also expanded the sanctions. Executive Order 13685 was signed on December 19, 2014 blocking property of certain persons and prohibiting certain transactions with respect to the Crimea region of Ukraine.