United States President Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel declared on Friday that US and EU will be ready to impose broad sectoral sanctions on Russia if presidential elections in Ukraine are disrupted.
Should Ukrainian presidential elections scheduled for May 25 be impeded by Russia, Pres. Obama said, then sectoral sanctions against Moscow would be”inevitable.”
Both Pres. Obama and Chancellor Merkel told reporters from the White House rose garden that while a diplomatic solution to the Ukrainian crisis is preferred, further steps with regards to sectoral measures in the context of certain branches of industry could soon be announced.
Such sanctions, Obama said, would “further impact Russia's growth and economy” and be aimed at any of several sectors. At the same time, however, he said his administration hopes imposing further sanctions won't be required.
“There are a range of approaches that can be taken not only in the energy sector, but in the arms sector, the finance sector, in terms of lines of credit for trade, all that have a significant impact on Russia,” Obama said.
“This is not necessarily what we want, but we are ready and prepared,” Merkel added.
No comments:
Post a Comment