Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said that there are few positive aspects in U.S.-Russian relations except for prisoner exchanges and that the U.S. has cut off channels for discussion on most issues after the start of military operations in Ukraine. He added that although the relationship is worse than ever, a complete break is both dangerous and undesirable.

Assistant Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland stated that the U.S. considers military installations in Crimea to be legitimate targets for Ukrainian strikes and plans to impose a major new package of sanctions against Russia with G7 partners around February 24, affecting companies in China, Iran, and North Korea. The European Union is also set to introduce the tenth round of sanctions, including export bans and blacklisting individuals and the “Russian propaganda machine.” A working group will also be established to use blocked Russian assets to rebuild Ukraine.