According to the White House, Russia and Ukraine aren't ready to negotiate
According to John Kirby, spokesman for the US Department of Defense for the next few days, the 2 countries aren't resolved to sit down at the negotiating table.
According to Kirby, the sanctions imposed on the aggressor country (Russia) cannot be used as a bargaining chip when this happens. In his view, the imposition of sanctions against Russia wasn't intended as a “bargaining chip” that could be taken off the table when Ukraine was ready to negotiate.
Mr. Kirby also stressed that the decision to impose additional sanctions was based on forecasts for external and internal markets in the energy sector.
At the same time, the White House adviser confirmed that large-scale sanctions in this area had previously been postponed in order to avoid a rise in US energy prices.
On January 10, the US imposed sanctions on over 30 Russian oil service companies. The UK has also introduced sanctions against Russia.
(MH with FM/Source: Ukrinform/Photo: René DeAnda/Unsplash)