NEW YORK, JULY 29 (RIA Novosti) – Western leaders coordinated efforts for new sanctions on Russia on Monday over its alleged support for federalization supporters in eastern Ukraine and following Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 crash.
US President Barack Obama spoke with his European counterparts – British Prime Minister David Cameron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President François Hollande and Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi – via video-link.
“The leaders stressed the continued need for unrestricted access to the shoot-down site of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 to allow for recovery of victims’ remains and for international investigators to proceed with their efforts,” the White House said in a statement.
“They agreed on the importance of coordinated sanctions on Russia for its continued transfer of arms, equipment, and fighters into eastern Ukraine, including since the crash, and to press Russia to end its efforts to destabilize the country and instead choose a diplomatic path for resolving the crisis.”
Western nations have imposed targeted sanctions on Russian individuals and firms, but have failed to agree on tougher measures. Moscow denies materially supporting the rebels and says Western sanctions are counter-productive.
