U.S. open to imposing sanctions on Ukraine: officialJanuary 16, 2014 - 09:23 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The United States is open to imposing sanctions and visa restrictions should Ukrainian authorities violently quash antigovernment protests in the ex-Soviet nation, a senior U.S. diplomat said Wednesday, Jan 15, according to RIA Novosti. Testifying at a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, State Department official Victoria Nuland was asked by the committee’s chairman, Senator Bob Menendez, whether the U.S. administration “remains open” to sanctions and visa restrictions in response to violence against peaceful protesters in Ukraine. “All tools of government are on the table, including those,” Nuland, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, responded. Mass street protests in central Kyiv have been ongoing since Ukraine stunned the European Union on Nov 21 by halting a long-expected association agreement to strengthen political and trade ties with the bloc. Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych opted instead for stronger ties with Moscow. The protests took a more radical turn after riot police violently cleared downtown Kyiv’s Independence Square on November 30. The United States and its EU allies have accused the Yanukovych government of going against the will of the Ukrainian people with the shift toward Russia, which provided Ukraine with a $15 billion bailout package last month to stabilize Kiev’s finances. In testimony prepared for Wednesday’s hearing, Nuland said the Ukrainian protesters “want to live in a country where their government truly represents the wishes of the people and where they can safely exercise their rights without the fear of oppression.” She also criticized acts of violence carried out by protesters, but said Washington has told Ukraine’s government publicly and privately that the United States will “consider a broad range of tools” if “those in positions of authority in Ukraine employ or encourage violence against their own citizens.” Related links: Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. Armenians stage more campaigns against territorial concessions to Azerbaijan Protesters blocked more roads across Armenia on Friday, April 26 in continuing attempts to scuttle territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. |