Kerry: Steps embraced to ease tensions in Ukraine
US secretary of state says words need to be backed up with actions, calls on Russia to demonstrate intent to curb tension
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Secretary of State John Kerry said Thursday that diplomats from Russia, the United States, the European Union and Ukraine have agreed on a series of steps aimed at de-escalating violence in strife-ridden Ukraine.
He said all of this “represents a good day’s work.” But Kerry also says “words on paper” will have little meaning if they are not followed by actions on all sides to calm the situation in the former Soviet republic.
Kerry tells a news conference “we fully expect the Russians” to demonstrate they are serious about lowering tensions. He says “no more incidents of this kind should occur.” And the secretary adds that he’s told his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, that if no improvement is seen, “We will have no choice but to impose” increasing sanctions against Russia.
Copyright 2014 The Associated Press.
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