Obama urges Russia to convince militants in Ukraine to lay down arms

"Russia needs to use its influence and convince the pro-Russia forces in Ukraine to lay down arms,” RBK quotes the American President.  The USA is ready for friendly relations with Russia, he added. At the same time, NATO will defend the international principles if Russia violates them, Barack Obama noted.

 The U.S. President is also going to ask the Congress for $1bn ‘to enhance the European security’. The USA will reconsider the policy of presence of its armed forces in Europe in connection with the Ukrainian crisis and ‘new security challenges on the continent’, Obama said. In particular, preparation and training programmes for soldiers will be activated. Military exercises will be conducted too. The USA is also going to bring additional naval forces to the Black and Baltic Seas.

Photo: 112.ua