The United States is expecting Russia to fulfill the Minsk agreements and intends to maintain pressure for that purpose.

"Regarding the Minsk agreements, I believe that the United States has made itself completely clear: we want every provision of these agreements to be implemented. Russia has accepted these agreements, and we think that it should do much more in this area. Obviously, Russia has been providing the separatists with military hardware," Joshua Baker, a spokesman for the U.S. Department of State, told Interfax in an interview.

Washington supports the Ukraine settlement negotiations in the 'Normandy format' and "will exert various kinds of pressure on Russia so that it meets the obligations under these agreements," he said.

According to Baker, the U.S. sanctions against Russia work and have a very big impact on the Russian economy.

"As to the expansion of sanctions, I think the United States will interact with its European partners in this context. Still, the sanctions related to Crimea will stay in effect as long as this illegal occupation continues," the Department of State spokesman said.

"I do not have any fresh information regarding 'Geneva plus'. The Ukrainian statement is understandable, but I think that the United States supports the ongoing processes," he said, answering a question about the Ukrainian president's initiative to hold 'Geneva plus' negotiations for 'de-occupation' of Crimea.