The U.S. State Department said on Wednesday that Greek new government's objections to the prospect of new European Union (EU) sanctions on Russia was part of discussion process within EU and not a concern for Washington yet.

"There are often discussions and debates leading up to the EU decisions about sanctions," said U.S. State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki at the regular briefing, adding that Washington was not at the point where concerns about objections to new EU sanctions emerged.

Greek new far-left government led by Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras was sworn in on Tuesday, promising a reversal of austerity measures imposed by EU creditors since 2010 to address a debt crisis which brought Greek economy to its knees.

Apart from economically challenging the status quo with the EU, the fledgling Greek government on Tuesday said a new EU statement condemning the killing of civilians in "indiscriminate shelling" in Mariupol and raising the prospect of new sanctions against Russia did not have the consent of Greece.

On Tuesday, EU leaders issued a statement which asked the next meeting of EU foreign ministers to consider new sanctions against Russia over its alleged role in Saturday's shelling in the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol, which claimed at least 30 lives.

Psaki said Washington appreciates the cooperation of its European partners in implementing the sanctions adopted by the EU.

Meanwhile, the White House said on Wednesday that U.S. President Barack Obama called Greek Prime Minister Tsipras to congratulate him on his election victory, adding that Washington looks forward to working closely with the new Greek government to help Greece return to a path of long-term prosperity. Endi

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)