US and other countries are ready to strengthen sanctions against Russia

The United States and other G7 countries are ready to impose new sanctions against Russia, the White House said on Wednesday following a meeting between United States Vice President Joe Biden and Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk.

“The Vice President noted that the United States and its G7 allies remain committed to implementing significant additional restrictive measures in response to Russian actions if necessary,” the White House statement said.

The possibility of introducing new sanctions the day before was also announced by the US Treasury at a meeting with Prime Minister Yatsenyuk and Ukraine's Finance Minister Natalia Yaresko.

Biden noted that the United States and other G7 countries are ready to continue pressure on Russia to implement the Minsk ceasefire agreements in eastern Ukraine, “including returning control of the border to the Ukrainian side, as well as the withdrawal of all Russian troops and weapons from Ukrainian territory.”

Enhance sanctions

Earlier this week, US President Barack Obama assured at the G7 summit in Germany that sanctions against Russia would continue beyond July.

Chancellor Angela Merkel said that the leaders of the G7 countries are ready to strengthen sanctions against Russia if necessary.

In turn, Vladimir Putin said at a press conference during his visit to Italy that Russia has no relations with the G7, calling the GXNUMX a “club of interests.”

Sanctions against Russia were introduced in several stages by the United States, the European Union and several other countries. The reason for this decision was the first annexation of the Crimea, and then the conflict that erupted in the east of Ukraine. The term of the sanctions was to expire in July.

Russia has consistently denied the involvement of its troops and involvement in the conflict in the Donbass. The Kremlin considers Western sanctions illegal.