United States President Barack Obama announced his plans to sign the legislation that will give  Russia more sanctions amid the global and economic struggles the country is already facing from the earlier sanctions for backing pro-Moscow separatists in Ukraine.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest confirmed the news on Tuesday, saying the president has doubts about the legislation passed last week in Congress but thinks that it will give him the needed flexibility.

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The decision of the president has raised questions about the vulnerability of Moscow now especially in its economic development and decreasing oil prices. The announcement came hours after the central bank of Russia made an attempt to increase their country's currency as it already has decreased in value as a result of the lower oil prices.

The collapse in the value of Ruble should pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin to finally end his support for the separatists in Ukraine, critics suggest.

However, according to Luke Coffey, a Heritage Foundation scholar in Russia, Putin still has a strong support from his people and the sanctions might not have enough impact on the population.

"We're not at that point yet," Coffey adds. "We still have a long way to go before the population turns on Putin."

The sanctions are reportedly targeting the elites so it will take more time for the effects of the sanctions to reach the general population.

The conflict between Ukraine, the pro-Russian separatists and Russia has resulted to the most intense standoff between the West and Russia since the Cold War. According to United States Secretary of State John Kerry, Putin has already tried to ease the tension in Ukraine in hopes of the West lifting the other existing sanctions.

Kerry also pointed out that although there were sanctions for the U.S. and the European Union, the collapse in the Ruble is not just solely affected by the sanctions as it has decreased in value due to a lot of factors.

Kerry added that the new Russian sanctions will influence Putin's next choices and decisions. 

TagsRussian sanctions, Ukraine crisis, Barack Obama, legislation, Russia