The United States has once again threatened to step up sanctions on Russia in an attempt to increase pressure on the Kremlin over the situation in Ukraine.<\/p>\n
Speaking on a visit to Kiev on Wednesday, US Treasury Secretary Jack Lew said, “We remain prepared to do more (on sanctions) if necessary.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTo that end, we will continue to work with our allies to increase the pressure on Russia,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
During his visit, Lew signed an agreement with Ukrainian Finance Minister Natalia Yaresko, providing Kiev with $2 billion in loan guarantees to help it with “near-term social spending” in 2015.<\/p>\n
After signing the loan agreement, the treasury secretary said, \u201cRussian support for separatists in Ukraine\u201d has led Washington and the European Union to impose sanctions on Moscow.<\/p>\n
Since last year, the United States and the European Union have set up a network of sanctions on Moscow.<\/p>\n
The US accuses Russia of arming troops fighting alongside pro-Russian forces in eastern Ukraine. Russia denies any involvement in eastern Ukraine.<\/p>\n
US President Barack Obama also said on Sunday that the US can help Ukraine\u2019s military with \u201cbasic equipment.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Pentagon in April 2014 sent hundreds of troops to the Baltic States.<\/p>\n
The president also reiterated that Washington and its allies were united against Moscow, a policy he said has left Russia isolated diplomatically and weakened economically.<\/p>\n
In response to Obama\u2019s remarks about isolating Russia, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Washington attempts to isolate Russia do not work.<\/p>\n
SB\/AGB<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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