US 'concerned' over Russian weapons moving into Ukraine

WASHINGTON: The US on Friday expressed concern over the transfer of highly-sophisticated Russian weapons to Ukrainian separatists, after the Pentagon claimed that Moscow appears to be set to move more rockets across the border into Ukraine.

'We are very concerned about the transfer of weapons and materiel from the Russian side of the border into Ukraine and into the hands of Russia-backed separatists in Ukraine,' White House press secretary Josh Earnest told reporters.

'That has fuelled the violence and conflict that we have seen in Ukraine. Unfortunately, it has also had tragic consequences for citizens from countries around the world after the downing of the Malaysia Airlines jetliner,' he said.

Earnest said when the US announced a new set of sanctions against Russia last week, the Obama administration noted specifically that these sanctions were aimed at Russia's continuing efforts to provide arms to the separatists.

The US has earlier called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to use their influence with the separatists to urge them to abide by a cease-fire agreement.

'In terms of the sanctions regime that has been put in place, there are a number of steps that the US has taken against individuals in Russia but also against some large commercial entities in the banking, defence and energy sectors,' he said.

There is ample evidence that those sanctions are having an economic effect, Earnest said adding 'they have had an impact on economic projections that have been performed by outside agencies.'

'I know the IMF and others, the World Bank, have downgraded their future economic projections for Russia in terms of economic growth in that country,' he noted.

'That's an indication that international investors are wary or even reluctant because of the unstable situation in Russia to continue making investments there,' he said.

'We are also seeing that the central bank in Russia is concerned about the health and well-being of the currency there. We have seen the Russian central bank extend significant sums, expend significant sums of money trying to shore up the strength of their currency,' he said.

Earnest said it is clear that Russia has had to take a number of steps to respond and deal with the sanctions that the US and its allies have imposed.

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