US warns Russia over Ukraine situation

US Secretary of State John Kerry has urged Russia to “tone down escalatory rhetoric” over the current situation in Ukraine.

A senior State Department official said Kerry in a phone call to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Tuesday afternoon expressed “deep concern over the lack of positive Russian steps” to deescalate the situation.

Last week, the foreign ministers of Russia, Ukraine, the United States and the European Union reached an agreement in Geneva over the Ukraine situation.

All sides have agreed over steps to “deescalate” the crisis in eastern Ukraine, where anti-Kiev protesters seized buildings in several towns and cities.

“Secretary Kerry also reiterated that the absence of measurable progress on implementing the Geneva agreement will result in increased sanctions on Russia,” according to the official.

Washington and Moscow are at loggerheads over the situation in Ukraine. The US accuses Russia of being behind the situation, but Russian President Vladimir Putin denied the allegation.

US President Barack Obama has repeatedly threatened Russia with sanctions.

White House spokesman Jay Carney said “there will be further costs imposed on Russia” if the country continues to “engage in provocative actions.”

“I think Russia understands that the United States, the EU and our G7 partners are serious about the need for all parties to the agreement to take steps to deescalate the situation in Ukraine,” Carney said.