State Department: Continued Russian Support of Separatists in Ukraine ‘Undermining International Diplomacy’
Published at
BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) — U.S. State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki issued a statement at a department briefing on Friday criticizing Russia’s support of separatists in Ukraine despite a cease-fire agreement, saying that it is “undermining international diplomacy and multilateral institutions.”
“As the evidence mounts in photos and videos of the enormous human toll Russia and the separatists have inflicted upon the Ukrainian people, we call upon Russia to honor its commitments immediately with decisive action before we see more cities decimated and more lives lost in Eastern Ukraine,” Psaki said. By violating the cease-fire agreed to by both sides, Russia is “violating international norms and they’re violating international law,” she added.
The cease-fire agreement was reached on Feb. 12. U.S. officials had been keeping an eye on the situation, particularly after more than 20 Ukrainian troops were killed in the town of Devaltseve earlier this week.
Follow @ABCNewsRadio
Copyright © 2015, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.