Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


           France: Russia Sanctions over Ukraine Could Come This Week

   French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius says the West could impose
   sanctions against Russia as early as this week if Moscow does not
   respond positively to proposals to calm the crisis in Ukraine.
   Fabius told France Inter radio Tuesday that the sanctions could include
   freezing the assets of individual Russians or Ukrainians and sanctions
   on travel visas.
   But he said if the Russians respond favorably to the proposals, U.S.
   Secretary of State John Kerry will go to Moscow and sanctions will not
   be immediate.
   Russia and the West are locked in a tense standoff over pro-Russian
   forces` seizure of Ukraine`s Crimea peninsula. The crisis in Crimea
   began late last month after former Ukrainian President Viktor
   Yanukovych fled Kyiv following months of anti-government protests.
   Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has complained that the U.S.
   proposals amount to "moving forward on the basis of a situation born
   out of a state coup."
   The situation is further complicated by the Crimea region`s plans to
   hold a March 16 referendum on joining Russia -- a vote Fabius and other
   Western leaders have called "illegal."
   In Kyiv Monday, U.S. ambassador to Ukraine Geoffrey Pyatt reiterated
   that Washington also will not recognize the results of the Crimean
   referendum.
   NATO said Monday it is deploying reconnaissance aircraft along the
   borders of member states Poland and Romania to monitor the crisis in
   Ukraine. It said the deployment is designed "to enhance the alliance`s
   situational awareness." The U.S. has also initiated a new deployment of
   fighter jets to the region.
   Moscow has officially denied that its troops are participating in the
   occupation of Crimea. But witnesses say military personnel in unmarked
   uniforms arrived in Russian-registered vehicles earlier this month and
   freely admit to being Russian.
   On Wednesday, U.S. President Barack Obama will meet Ukraine`s interim
   prime minister, Arseniy Yatsenyuk,at the White House. A White House
   statement Monday said the visit will highlight the United States`
   strong support for the people of Ukraine, and will include talks on
   economic aid and preparations for May elections in Ukraine.
   Meanwhile, Russian news agencies say ousted Ukrainian President
   Yanukovych is expected to appear in public Tuesday for the second time
   since fleeing Kyiv last month as anti-government protesters laid siege
   to the capital. Moscow has consistently described his ouster as the
   illegal overthrow of a legitimate head of state.
     __________________________________________________________________

   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/france-russia-sanctions-over-ukraine-
   could-come-this-week/1868552.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/france-russia-sanctions-over-ukraine-could-come-this-week/1868552.html