Trump 'reaffirms Transatlantic unity in holding Russia accountable' over Ukraine

US President Donald Trump reiterated in a meeting with Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni the US determination to maintain transatlantic accord in "holding Russia responsible for its actions" in Ukraine and Crimea, the White House said in a press release on Wednesday, Sputnik reports.

The US-Russian relations have worsened since 2014 against the background of the Ukrainian crisis and Crimea's reunification with Russia. The United States and its allies in Europe imposed several rounds of sanctions against Russia, blaming Moscow for interfering in Ukraine's internal crisis. In addition, Washington accused Kremlin of meddling in the 2016 US election.

Russia has repeatedly denied the US allegations, calling them absurd, and warned that Western sanctions are counterproductive measures that undermine global stability.

"President Trump reaffirmed transatlantic unity in holding Russia accountable for its actions in Crimea and eastern Ukraine, and noted the importance of convincing Russia to fulfill its commitments under the Minsk Agreements," the release stated.