奥巴马、默克尔：下一步是制裁俄罗斯

奥巴马、默克尔：下一步是制裁俄罗斯

乌克兰东部局势依旧紧张，美国总统奥巴马和德国总理默克尔反复声明他们支持乌克兰政府。他们在一次联合发布会上表示下一步行动是制裁俄罗斯。

US president Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have reiterated their support for the Ukrainian government. It comes as tensions continue to mount in Ukraine’s restive eastern region. Speaking at a joint press conference in Washington, the two leaders made it clear that the next step would be to order sanctions against Russia. But they did not specify precisely what was being considered.

"If, in fact, we see the disruptions and the destabilization continuing so severely that it impedes elections on May 25th, we will not have a choice but to move forward with additional, more severe sanctions." said Barack Obama, U.S. President.

"The 25th of May is not that far away. Should it not be possible to stabilize the situation, further sanctions would be unavoidable. This is something that we don’t want. We have made a diplomatic offer, so it is very much up to the Russians which road we will embark on. But we are firmly resolved to travel down that road." said Angela Merkel, German Chancellor.

The meeting came as Ukraine reported that many rebels were killed and wounded Friday in a military offensive in the east of the country. Moscow says Ukraine’s action has destroyed an agreement aimed at de-escalating the crisis.

But Obama says it is now obvious to the world that the anti-government activists in the east are not peaceful protesters, and that Kiev made the move to "restore order."