US: Russia has 'days, not weeks' to de-escalate Ukraine situation

America has issued heavy threats of further, more wide ranging sanctions against Moscow if they can't control the Ukraine crisis.

12:42 22 April 2014

The clock is ticking down faster for Russia to act on the Ukraine crisis as the White House issued an ultimatum of severe sanctions. 

 

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said: "Russia understands that the international community holds one view about the actions that Russia has taken and supported in Ukraine, and that we stand prepared, together with our partners, to impose further costs on Russia if Russia does not take action to help stabilise the situation in Ukraine and to cease promoting destabilising activity."

 

The White House advised Russian President Vladmir Putin that it must be resolved within days, not weeks. 

 

Pro-Russian insurgents are occupying government buildings in more than 10 cities in eastern Ukraine with some believing that a wider invasion of the area is planned after the annexation of Crimea. 

 

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov dismissed the use of ultimatums and accused America of, according to Time, 'colluding with fascist elements in Ukraine. 

 

According to Russia Today, Lavrov said: “Before giving us ultimatums, demanding that we fulfill demands within two or three days with the threat of sanctions, we would urgently call on our American partners to fully accept responsibility for those who they brought to power."

 

Over the weekend, a Geneva agreement between Russia, America, Ukraine and the EU drew up a deal that “all illegal armed groups must be disarmed, all illegally seized buildings must be returned to legitimate owners” but the pro-Russian forces have shown next to no acceptance of these terms in the wake of a deadly gunfight on Sunday.