LOC02:03
23:03 GMT
WASHINGTON, May 31 (KUNA) -- The US said Tuesday it "remains concerned about steps Russia is taking to attempt to institutionalize control over sovereign Ukrainian territory, particularly in Ukraine's Kherson region."
State Department spokesperson Ned Price told reporters during a briefing that "the Kremlin is probably weighing a few approaches, from recognizing a so-called People's Republic, as Russia forcibly did in Donetsk and Luhansk, to an attempted annexation, just as Russia did in Crimea".
"It's a predictable part of the Russian playbook, which is why we are continuing to sound the alarm now, particularly following Russian President (Vladimir) Putin's unilateral decree that would fast track the issuance of Russian passports to Ukrainian citizens. Russia used similar tactics in Donetsk and Luhansk in 2019," he noted.
"Russia's initial objectives of controlling large swaths of Ukraine has been nothing short of a complete failure," he stressed, adding, "We will continue to spotlight Russia's territorial designs in Ukraine as well as its ongoing aggression, just as we hold to account those who facilitate it, including with additional punitive economic measures."
"We applaud the steps by our European allies and partners to reduce their reliance on Russian oil and natural gas by diversifying their sources of energy and reducing consumption in line with our shared climate goals.
"We are united in our purpose to keep the pressure on President Putin and all of those who are responsible for waging this war," Price added.
On Monday evening, leaders of the EU agreed on the sixth package of sanctions against Russia which will cover crude oil as well as petroleum products. (end)
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