Zee Media Bureau/Supriya Jha
Kiev: Expressing deep concern over Russia`s failure to stabilise the situation in Ukraine, US Secretary of State John Kerry on Wednesday warned Moscow of further sanctions.
In a phone call with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Kerry complained of lack of positive steps from Russia to de-escalate Ukraine crisis.
The latest American warning came as two “brutally tortured” bodies - including that of local politician Vladimir Rybak - were found in Ukraine.
The body of politician Vladimir Rybak which was found in a river near near Sloviansk, reportedly showed that he was "tortured to death".
He had earlier disappeared after having tried to seize buildings occupied by the pro-Russian activists in Slovyansk.
After the tortured bodies were found, Ukraine`s President Oleksandr Turchynov ordered the relaunch of military operations against pro-Russian militants.
"The terrorists who effectively took the whole Donetsk region hostage have now gone too far," Turchynov said.
"These crimes are being committed with the full support and connivance of the Russian Federation," Mr Turchynov added.
The violent incident comes just a day after US Vice President Joe Biden on Tuesday assured that the US will stand by their side in face of "humiliating threats" apparently from Russia.
Biden also announced the United States will provide an additional USD 50 million to help Ukraine`s beleaguered government with political and economic reforms.The money includes USD 11 million to help conduct the May 25 presidential election, including voter education, administration and oversight.
The White House also announced USD 8 million in nonlethal military assistance for the Ukrainian armed forces, including bomb-disposal equipment, communications gear and vehicles.
Despite a Geneva deal that aimed to stabilise the situation in Ukraine, hopes seemed to fade for the ex-Soviet bloc`s eastern towns where pro-Russians have occupied key buildings.
Russia meanwhile accused Ukraine`s government of violating the Geneva accord by doing nothing to resolve the crisis.
The deal called for disarming of illegal occupants of the government buildings and in turn offered to grant them amnesty.
Meanwhile, the US Department of State on Thursday, April 17, 2014, released an 11-page document that showed pictures showing Russian soldiers with Russian weapons in eastern Ukraine.
