Russia risks further US sanctions over Ukraine, says Kerry Published duration 23 April 2014 Related Topics Ukraine conflict

image copyright AP image caption Moscow denies being behind the protests and seizures of buildings by pro-Russian militants

The US has warned Russia to tone down its aggressive rhetoric on Ukraine, or face further sanctions.

US Secretary of State John Kerry told his Russian counterpart over the phone that Moscow must call for pro-Russian gunmen to lay down their weapons.

Kiev and the West say Moscow commands the gunmen - claims denied by Russia.

The Ukrainian authorities have re-launched an anti-terror operation to take back several towns in the east overrun by pro-Russian militants.

Acting President Olexander Turchynov said he had ordered the operation to restart after two men - including local politician Volodymyr Rybak - were found dead after being "brutally tortured".

"The terrorists who effectively took the whole Donetsk region hostage have now gone too far," Mr Turchynov said.

Kiev's military operation to push gunmen out of public buildings began on 16 April but was suspended over the Easter period.

media caption Politician Vladimir Rybak disappeared after being filmed trying to gain access to a building seized by pro-Russian activists, as Daniel Sandford reports from Donetsk

In other developments:

Some 150 American troops arrive in Poland, the first part of a 600-strong deployment that Washington says is a show of force for its Nato allies in the region

Pro-Russian militants in Sloviansk are reportedly holding American journalist Simon Ostrovsky, who works for Vice News.

'Absence of progress'

US officials said Mr Kerry had spoke to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Tuesday and urged Russia to "tone down escalatory rhetoric [and] engage diplomatically in the east".

The officials said Mr Kerry also demanded that Russia "issue public statements calling for those occupying buildings to disarm and stand down in exchange for amnesty", or face increased sanctions.

US Vice-President Joe Biden met Ukraine's new leaders in Kiev on Tuesday and called on Russia to "stop talking and start acting" to defuse the Ukraine crisis.

image copyright AP image caption Visiting Kiev, Mr Biden warned Russia that further "provocative behaviour" would lead to "greater isolation"

image copyright AP image caption Masked gunmen fired a salvo at the burial of one of three pro-Russian militants killed at a checkpoint

The US is to provide an additional $50m (£30m) for political and economic reforms in Ukraine, including $11m to help run the presidential election due on 25 May.

The stand-off in towns across the eastern Donetsk region appears to be intensifying.

Mr Rybak, a local councillor for the Fatherland party, was found dead near Sloviansk on Tuesday.

He had gone missing recently and, according to police, his body was found in a river.

The other man killed has not yet been publicly identified.

"These crimes are being committed with the full support and connivance of the Russian Federation," Mr Turchynov said.

image copyright AFP image caption Official buildings in at least nine cities and towns remain occupied

The US had previously said it would impose further sanctions should Russia fail to fulfil commitments laid out in the 17 April Geneva accord

The deal stipulated an immediate end to violence in eastern Ukraine and called on illegal armed groups to surrender their weapons and leave official buildings.

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev told the Russian parliament on Tuesday that Russia would be able to "minimise the consequences" of any further sanctions.