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UKRAINE CRISIS

Russia won’t bow to pressure

Says Putin as Kerry threatens 'extra sanctions'; rebels, govt exchange prisoners

Agencies
President Vladimir Putin said that Russia will never yield to any external pressure as US Secretary of State John Kerry yesterday said that new "serious sanctions" against Russia were being considered over the conflict in Ukraine.
In a reception to mark the upcoming Defender of the Fatherland Day, Putin shared his confidence in Russia's military to protect the country from outside threats, Xinhua reported yesterday.
The Defender of the Fatherland Day is a national holiday celebrated on February 23 in honour of Russian servicemen.
"No one should have any illusions that it could achieve military supremacy over Russia or to put pressure on us in any form," Putin said on Friday.
Adding that his forces would always have an 'adequate response', he vowed to step up an ambitious military modernisation, with hundreds of new combat jets, missiles and other weapons.
His remarks came as Russia's relationship with the West has seemed to hit its lowest point due to the ongoing
crisis in eastern Ukraine.
The West has been criticising Russia for its intervention in Ukraine, allegations Moscow has continued to deny. The US and the European Union have imposed several sanctions against Moscow, which has cost the Russian economy heavily.
In London, Kerry said the US and Britain are considering deepening sanctions against Russia due to its "craven behaviour" in Ukraine.
"In the next few days I anticipate
that President Obama will evaluate the choices that are in front of him and will make his decision," he told a press conference in London.
"I am confident that some additional steps will be taken in response to the breach of this ceasefire. “
Kerry said that a truce brokered by Germany and France had been honoured by pro-Russian separatists in only "a few areas".
"If this failure continues, make no
mistake, there will be further consequences including consequences that will place added strains on Russia's already troubled economy," he added.
On Saturday, members of Ukraine's military and pro-Moscow rebels swapped scores of prisoners in a rare act of compliance with the truce, brokered in Minsk earlier this month.
Meanwhile, General Sir Adrian Bradshaw, Nato's deputy supreme allied commander in Europe, said tensions with Russia could become an all-out conflict Putin could invade and seize Nato territory and change Europe's borders, he added in a speech at the Royal United Services Institute in London.
The general said: The threat from Russia and the risk it brings of miscalculation resulting in a strategic conflict, represents an existential threat to our whole being.'
Nato has agreed to set up a rapid reaction force of about5,000 soldiers ready to move within 48 hours in case of Russian aggression in Eastern Europe. Adrian said this would show Russia that an attack on any Nato member would 'lead them to a conflict with the whole alliance'.