Russian deputy foreign minister says sanctions will worsen situation around Ukraine

Grigory Karasin, Russian state secretary and deputy foreign minister, said that new U.S. and EU sanctions against Russia would only make the situation around Ukraine worse, RIA Novosti reports.

Instead, Karasin proposed persuading the Kiev government to start a dialogue with regions and stop special operations.

The Russian diplomat discussed settlement of the Ukraine crisis with EU Representative to Russia Vygaudas Usackas.