Obama and Merkel support Kiev's punitive operation

Ukrainian authorities have the right to "restore order" in the east of Ukraine, said US President Barack Obama. However, he called for a diplomatic solution of the crisis.

Obama released a statement on the crisis in Ukraine after a meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in the White House. U.S. President completely relieved responsibility from the authorities in Kiev and placed it on the forces in Ukraine, which, as he thinks, Russia supports.

Obama again threatened Moscow with stronger sanctions. The next step would entail broader sanctions against whole sectors of the Russian economy, he said. This is "not a punishment" for Russia, but an incentive for Moscow "to choose the right way."

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that Russia does not fulfill its obligations under the Geneva Agreement." We do not see Russia executing the Geneva Accords," she said. According to her, "Ukraine is fulfilling its obligations." Merkel stressed that she was interested in a diplomatic solution of the crisis. However, she added, "should the situation deteriorate further, the West will be ready for new sanctions."

Angela Merkel warned that the EU was ready to impose sanctions against Russia after the U.S. "There is a wide range of possibilities that are being elaborated in the EU," she said. "We will introduce the third stage of sanctions. I want to emphasize that this does not necessarily coincide with our wishes," Merkel added.