Even though the situation in the Ukraine appears to be nearing some sort of resolution, the Obama Administration is confirmed to be in the process of readying new sanctions against Ukraine’s government and protest leaders if the situation doesn’t go the way the US wants.

The protests in Ukraine have centered around opposition figures wanting closer ties to the European Union, and a government that is dependent on Russian aid for solvency, and fears that the shift to the West could harm that relationship.

Nominally the US is upset over some violence and arrests of protesters, but with the government passing an amnesty law and the prime minister resigning, it seems the escalation of US threats is more about pushing Ukraine into the EU deals than anything happening on the ground.

Russia, for its part, is also wielding its financial influence, temporarily halting their aid package to the Ukraine over the PM’s resignation, and saying they don’t intend to restart it until it’s clear that the new government intends to honor the agreements that sparked that aid.