US: Russia may face more sanctions

The United States warned Russia on Thursday that it could face more sanctions over the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.

The US also welcomed the move by the European Union foreign ministers on Thursday to extend the current sanctions against Russia.

“Certainly, we welcome it; it's a positive step,” State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters.

Psaki said the EU decision "is just a further sign that the actions of the last several days and weeks are absolutely unacceptable and that there will be new consequences put in place".

"We'll continue to consider others that we could add,” she added.

The EU approved embargoes on more Russian individuals and entities over the nine-month conflict in eastern Ukraine. The new sanctions include travel bans and asset freezes for six months.

Vice President Joe Biden said Wednesday the costs will continue for Russia as long as it continues its “blatant” intervention in eastern Ukraine.

The United States and the European Union have imposed several rounds of sanctions on Russia.

The US and its allies accuse Moscow of sending troops into eastern Ukraine in support of the pro-Russian forces. Moscow has long denied any involvement in Ukraine's conflict.

The two mainly Russian-speaking regions of Donetsk and Lugansk in eastern Ukraine have been the scene of deadly clashes between pro-Russia protesters and the Ukrainian army since Kiev started military operations in the regions in April 2014 in a bid to crush the protests.

Violence intensified last May after the two regions held local referendums in which their residents voted overwhelmingly in favor of independence from Ukraine and joining the Russian Federation.

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