Russian FM Lavrov says Ukraine Freedom Act ruins US-Russian relations for long

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State John Kerry discussed issues of the Palestinian-Israeli peace process and the Ukrainian crisis in a telephone conversation, the Russian Foreign Ministry said. 

Lavrov also pointed out the fact that the law to support freedom in Ukraine that the US president signed may ruin opportunities of normal interaction between Russia and the United States, a message from the Russian Foreign Ministry said. 

The telephone conversation took place on 18 December on the initiative of the American side.

US President Barack Obama signed the Ukraine Freedom Support Act, which enabled him to take additional restrictive measures against Russia, Interfax reports. In a statement, the US president noted that "the Act gives the Administration additional authorities that could be utilized, if circumstances warranted."

According to President Obama, the USA has no plans to impose additional sanctions on Russia under the new law.  "We remain prepared to roll back sanctions should Russia take the necessary steps," Obama said.