The move comes despite Democrats' efforts to keep the restrictions in place.

U.S. President Donald Trump's national security adviser John Bolton said on Friday that U.S. sanctions against Russia would remain in place until Moscow changes its behaviour.

The Treasury Department said Wednesday it was taking action against the companies, which are based in China, Russia and Singapore, as well as the head of the Russian firm.

Russia’s prime minister sternly warned the United States on Friday against ramping up sanctions, saying that Moscow will retaliate with economic, political and unspecified “other” means.

Russia condemned a new round of U.S. sanctions as draconian on Thursday after news of the measures sent the rouble tumbling to two-year lows and sparked a wider asset sell-off over fears that Moscow was locked in a spiral of never-ending sanctions.

The State Department said the U.S. this week made the determination that Russia had used the Novichok nerve agent to poison Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, and that sanctions would follow.

Trump's national security adviser is expected in Moscow on Wednesday for talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and possibly Vladimir Putin.

Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed U.S. trade measures, Syria and the prospect of a third world war during an annual question and answer session.Russi

The public split between the White House and Nikki Haley this week over Russia sanctions threw a spotlight on her at-times uneasy relationship with Donald Trump.

Donald Trump said building a good relationship with Russia is a "good, not bad" thing.