SLAVYANSK, Ukraine: US Secretary
of State John Kerry warned Russia of “additional consequences” if it
fails to pull its troops back from the Ukraine border, as Kiev accused Moscow of aggression in its restive east.
During
a telephone call with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Kerry
“made clear that if Russia did not take steps to de-escalate in eastern
Ukraine and move its troops back from Ukraine’s border, there would be
additional consequences”, a senior State Department official said.
A
first wave of US sanctions unveiled in March blacklisted officials and
businesspeople close to Russian President Vladimir Putin to protest at
Moscow’s takeover of Crimea.
US Vice President Joe Biden will travel
to Ukraine on April 22 to stress support for Kiev and steps to improve
its energy security, the White House said in a statement.
Ukraine accused Moscow of aggression
after Kalashnikov-wielding gunmen seized two security buildings in its
restive eastern rust belt on Saturday amid spreading protests demanding
the Russified region join Kremlin rule.
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