U.S. ready to increase pressure on Russia, says Obama

14:41, 26.01.2015 1 min read

The U.S. President Barack Obama has said he is alarmed by the escalation of the conflict in eastern Ukraine and is ready to increase pressure on Russia.

"We are deeply concerned about the latest break in the ceasefire [in Ukraine]," Obama told journalists in New Delhi, India, during his visit to the country.

He added that the U.S was ready to increase pressure on Russia to avoid a further escalation in eastern Ukraine.

"What we have done is to consistently isolate Russia," Obama said and added that "we [the U.S.] have no interest in seeing Russia weakened or [to see] its economy in shambles."

The U.S, President blamed the escalation of the situation on "these separatists – with Russian backing, Russian equipment, Russian financing, Russian training and Russian troops."

"If Russia is hell-bent on engaging in military conflicts, their military is more powerful than Ukraine's," he said.

"The question is going to be whether they continue to pursue a path that not only is bad for the people of Ukraine, but is bad for the people of Russia," he noted.