“We agreed that sanctions on Russia need to remain fully in force until Russia complies fully with its obligations… If Russia continues in its own course <…> Russian isolation will only worsen both politically and economically,” Obama stated.
The United States and its allies have already imposed multiple sanctions against Russia’s banking, energy and military sectors, as well as several high-profile individuals over Moscow’s alleged involvement in Ukraine’s internal affairs. Russia has repeatedly denied these accusations and continues to urge the warring sides to establish direct dialogue.
The crisis in Ukraine escalated in April 2014 when Kiev launched a military operation suppressing the independence supporters of Luhansk and Donetsk regions who refused to recognize the coup-imposed central government.
