Russia has taken no step to de-escalate situation in Ukraine - Obama
U.S. President Barack Obama has said he is disappointed that the Russian side does not contribute to the de-escalation of the situation in eastern Ukraine, the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv has reported.
"We have emphasized our preference to resolve this issue diplomatically but that we have to see concrete actions and not just words that Russia is in fact committed to trying to end this conflict along the Russia-Ukraine border. So far, Russia has failed to take any of the steps that I mentioned," the embassy quoted Obama as saying.
Obama said that given continued provocations in Ukraine, he had approved a new set of sanctions on some of Russia's largest companies and financial institutions.
"Along with our allies, with whom I've been coordinating closely over the last several days and weeks, I've repeatedly made it clear that Russia must halt the flow of weapons and fighters across the border into Ukraine; that Russia must urge the separatists to release their hostages and support a cease-fire; that Russia needs to pursue internationally-mediated talks and agree to meaningful monitors on the border," Obama said.
As reported, the Web portal of U.S. newspaper New York Times said on July 17 that the U.S. administration had strengthened sanctions against Russia. According to the newspaper, the new sanctions were imposed because of the situation in Ukraine and cover a number of banks, energy and defense companies.
According to BBC, the issue concerns, in particular, Gazprombank, Vnesheconombank, Rosneft and an oil terminal in Feodosia.
The self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics were also put on the sanctions list.
In addition, according to BBC, which refers to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the new U.S. sanctions package also includes restrictions on five officials, in particular, State Duma Deputy Speaker Sergei Neverov, Russian presidential aide Igor Shchegolev and Federal Minister for Crimea Oleg Savelyev.
In addition, a leader of the Donetsk People's Republic, Alexander Borodai, was also included in the list.
