US sanctions will not ease until Russia changes its behaviour toward Ukraine - Nuland
The United States upholds sanctions against Russia over its aggression against Ukraine. They will be weakened only in the event of a change in Russia's behaviour toward Ukraine.
It was stated in an interview with Radio Liberty by US Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland.
"We have made it clear, and President Biden has reiterated that the sanctions imposed on Russia through Ukraine are going to stay in place until Russia changes its behaviour towards Ukraine", - Nuland said.
The US Deputy Secretary of State noted that US President Joe Biden called Ukraine a country in which the United States has significant differences with the Russian Federation. According to her, the United States has been firmly committed to Ukraine's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity for several decades.
"We have strong programs to support Ukraine in the areas of security, economic development, anti-corruption efforts, and all this will continue", - Nuland said.
What is known
- The United States is urging Russia to stop political persecution of Crimean Tatars in occupied Crimea.
- On June 14, US sanctions banned US financial institutions from participating in primary bond markets issued after that day by "political units, agencies or government structures of the Russian Federation": the Central Bank of the Russian Federation, the RF Ministry of Finance and the Russian National Welfare Fund.
- In January this year, US Ambassador to Russia John Sullivan said that the United States, its allies and partners do not intend to ease sanctions imposed in connection with the occupation of Crimea.
