Advertisement

  1. National

Russia says EU 'against peace' as US backs new sanctions

The Russian Foreign Ministry said the European Union has "made its choice against" a peace process in Ukraine by approving tougher sanctions against Russia.

President Barack Obama said the United States will join the EU in imposing sanctions on Russia's financial, energy and defence sectors after Moscow sent troops into eastern Ukraine last month.

David Cameron has spoken to European leaders and agreed to push ahead with the sanctions by the end of the week, his spokesman has confirmed.

After the announcement the Russian rouble reached a new historic low against the dollar.

View all 199 updates ›

Putin to foreign states: 'It's best not to mess with us'

Vladimir Putin was speaking at a pro-Krelim youth camp. Credit: Reuters

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said foreign states should understand: "It's best not to mess with us."

The premier said his armed forces were ready to meet any aggression and that the Ukraine crisis was the result of a refusal by Kiev to negotiate.

He added: "Thank God, I think no one is thinking of unleashing a large-scale conflict with Russia. I want to remind you that Russia is one of the leading nuclear powers."

Kiev has said it wants supplies of weapons from Nato but does not expect them to send soldiers in to help fight Russian troops.

  1. Read more
  2. 199 updates
Russia says EU 'against peace' as US backs new sanctions

More on this story