Tougher sanctions must be imposed on Russia if it undermines crucial presidential elections in Ukraine on Sunday, US Vice President Joe Biden said Wednesday in Bucharest.
“If Russia undermines these elections on Sunday, we must remain resolute in imposing greater costs,” Biden told reporters after meeting with Romanian president Traian Basescu.
The vice president’s comments come ahead of his trip to Cyprus later Wednesday, a country reluctant to impose stronger sanctions on Moscow.
The Mediterranean island’s financial sector is heavily dependent on Russian capital.
“All countries should use their influence to promote a stable environment for Ukrainian citizens to cast their ballots freely.”
Biden also called on countries in the West, particularly European states, to diversify their sources of energy and better connect their networks.