Russia will face complete isolation if it invades Ukraine, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has said.
“[U.S.] President [Barack Obama] has made it clear that there are
many different options, but that would be taken, needless to say, as not
just a violation of all notions of international law, but an
exceedingly dangerous action,” Kerry said at a press conference on
Tuesday, July 29, when asked what the United States is going to do if Russia
invades Ukraine.
“It would wind up with, you know, the most severe possible kinds of
isolation and sanctions possible. And Germany, France, other countries
in Europe, would clearly join into that in ways that would have a
profound, profound impact on the Russian economy,” he said.
Kerry said that the United States was already helping Ukraine in the crisis situation.
“We are working very, very closely already providing advice and
materials to Ukraine, as well as other countries that are doing the same
thing. And we are working very, very hard to see if we can’t find the
political key to be able to provide redress for the grievances that
President Putin keeps talking about through the political process,” he
said.
He said that the United States realizes that Russia has its own interests and historic connections in Ukraine.
“What Ukraine is looking for is simply respect for its sovereignty,
and hopefully the political process that is unfolding now can address
the concerns in a way that will strengthen that sovereignty,” Kerry
said, adding that the EU and the U.S. want this policy to be
implemented.
