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War of words between US and Russia over events in Ukraine

A war of words broke out between the US and Russia over Ukraine on Thursday. US Secretary of State John Kerry warned Moscow it had not taken “a single step” to enforce the Geneva agreement to diffuse tensions and he threatened more sanctions. Under last week’s accord between Ukraine, Russia, the US and the EU, militias in Ukraine were supposed to disarm and give up control of seized state property. Kerry said: “The window to change course is closing. President Putin and Russia face a choice. If Russia chooses the path of de-escalation, the international community, all of us, will welcome it. If Russia does not, the world will make sure that the costs for Russia will only grow” Russia in turn accused the US of pulling the strings in Ukraine and destabilising it. Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Lavrov called on Washington to do more to help. “I am convinced that our American colleagues can and should use all their influence to force the current Kiev authorities not just to acknowledge but to turn its responsibility for what’s happening into action,” Lavrov said.