United States Threatens To Add Sanctions If Russia Escalates Conflict In Ukraine

US State Department spokesman Ned Price. (Wikimedia Commons/US Department of State)

JAKARTA - The United States will impose more sanctions on Russia if Moscow continues to escalate its conflict with Ukraine, State Department spokesman Ned Price said Monday, noting Russia has shown no signs of backing down so far.

At a regular press briefing, Price said US sanctions would eventually become symmetrical and mutually reinforcing with Washington's allies and partners.

"We will do more, assuming the Russian Federation continues to escalate, and we see no indication at this point the Russian Federation is prepared to do otherwise," Price said.

On the occasion, Price also touched on Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, saying he had allowed Russian leader Vladimir Putin to 'make a mockery' of Belarus' sovereignty, by allowing Moscow forces to launch their attacks from its territory.

It is known, along with tough sanctions against Russia, banks, and individuals close to President Vladimir Putin, the United States has also imposed sanctions on Belarus.

Last week, 24 Belarusian individuals and entities, including two state-owned banks as well as parts of the country's defense and security industry, were sanctioned by Washington for supporting the invasion.

"Meanwhile, the regime (in Minsk) continues to brutally suppress the democratic aspirations of the Belarusian people. It is becoming increasingly subservient to Russia," Price criticized.