US law on support for Ukraine may undermine cooperation with Russia -- Lavrov

MOSCOW, December 19. /TASS/. The U.S. law “on support for freedom of Ukraine” that threatens with new sanctions against Russia may undermine possibilities for normal cooperation with Russia, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry in a telephone call. Lavrov and Kerry had a telephone talk on the initiative of the American side, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Friday. They discussed the Palestinian-Israeli settlement and the Ukrainian crisis. “The law signed by the U.S. president on support for freedom of Ukraine threatening with new sanctions against Russia can undermine possibilities for normal cooperation between our countries for a long time,” Lavrov said. Barack Obama signed a draft law giving additional powers to impose sanctions against Russia and provide weapons for Ukraine. The signing of the law does not mean change of the administration’s sanction policy coordinated in accordance with developments and together with allies and partners, the president said in a statement. At the same time, Obama confirmed that the White House did not intend to impose new sanctions under the law, but gave additional powers to the administration that may be used if needed. He also said he would continue work with European partners. Read more