Kerry condemns ‘incredible act of aggression’

US secretary of state John Kerry yesterday condemned Russia’s “incredible act of aggression” in Ukraine and threatened “very serious repercussions” from the US and other countries, including sanctions to isolate Russia economically.

“You just don’t in the 21st century behave in 19th century fashion by invading another country on completely trumped up pre- text,” Kerry told the CBS programme Face the Nation.

Kerry, however, added that Russia still has “a right set of choices” that can be made to defuse the crisis.

Kerry said US president Barack Obama told Putin in a phone call on Saturday that “there will be serious repercussions if this stands. The president... told Mr Putin that it was imperative to find a different path, to roll back this invasion and un-do this act of invasion”.

Kerry said G8 nations and some other countries are “prepared to go to the hilt to isolate Russia” with a “broad array of options” available.

Yesterday, Britain pulled out of preparatory talks due to be held in the coming days for the G8 summit in Sochi in June over Russia’s decision to take military action in Ukraine.

William Hague said the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine had been “violated” and called for Moscow to speak directly to the nation’s new leaders.

Pressure was mounting on Vladimir Putin after Russia on Saturday authorised the use of troops, but so far the president has ignored international condemnation of his country’s aggression.

The foreign secretary was due to attend talks in the Black Sea resort paving the way for the summit but the UK is now suspending its cooperation with the process. He said: “We will keep our approach to further G8 meetings under review.”