According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the talk was initiated by the United States. “Sergei Lavrov said that after the US president signed the Ukraine Freedom Act that threatens new sanctions against Russia, normal joint activities between the two countries would be undermined for a long time,” the ministry said.
US President Barack Obama signed the Ukraine Freedom Support Act, providing lethal military aid to Ukraine and imposing additional sanctions on Russia on December 18. At this time, the Administration does not intend to impose sanctions under this law, but the Act gives the Administration additional authorities that could be utilized, if circumstances warranted.