Just in from RFE/RL's news desk:
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says that Russia has made "constructive moves" in recent days over the conflict in Ukraine.
Speaking at a press conference in London on December 16, Kerry reiterated that Western sanctions against Russia were introduced to prompt Russia to stop its interference in Ukraine.
He added that the West did not seek to "hurt the people of Russia."
Kerry said he saw "signs of constructive choices" by Russia over Ukraine, and he hoped such progress will continue.
He added that Washington was following the decline in the value of the Russian ruble, which he said has been affected both by Western sanctions against Russia and by falling world oil prices.
Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reiterated in Paris on December 16 there were "very serious reasons" to think Western sanctions are aimed at regime change in Moscow. (Reuters, AFP)
Russia's Ukraine Actions Have Made Its Economy Vulnerable -- UK PM's Spokesman
LONDON, Dec 16 (Reuters) - Russia's isolation over its actions in Ukraine have made it more vulnerable to global economic shocks, British Prime Minister David Cameron's spokesman said on Tuesday.
A fall in oil prices by almost a half since June has put severe strain on Russia's oil-dependent economy, with a collapse in the ruble and Russian stocks adding to the pressure Western sanctions are placing on President Vladimir Putin.
"The fall in the global price for oil is a global phenomenon but ... Russia has made itself more vulnerable to economic shocks ... as a result of the relative isolation through sanctions that it has faced because of events in Ukraine," Cameron's spokesman told reporters.
"If Russia continues to choose not to take the path of de-escalation it will continue to face consequences."