(MENAFN- Qatar News Agency) shington April 23 - The United States has warned again of further sanctions against Russia if it does not de-escalate tensions in Ukraine. In a phone call with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov US secretary of State John Kerry expressed "deep concern over the lack of positive Russian steps". Kerry "urged Russia to tone down escalatory rhetoric engage diplomatically in the east... and issue public statements calling for those occupying buildings to disarm" according to a senior State Department official. "Secretary Kerry also reiterated that the absence of measurable progress on implementing the Geneva agreement will result in increased sanctions on Russia" the official said. The warning came after US Vice-President Joe Biden met Ukraine's new leaders in Kiev and called on Russia to "stop talking and start acting" to defuse the Ukraine crisis. The US pledged to provide an additional $50 million for political and economic reforms in Ukraine including $11 million to help run the presidential election due on 25 May. In another US move Washington is sending 600 troops to take part in NATO exercises in the three Baltic states and Poland. A defense department spokesman said the decision was designed to show a strong commitment to the alliance as events unfolded in Ukraine.
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