By Associated Press President Barack Obama conveyed skepticism Thursday about Russian promises to de-escalate a volatile situation in Ukraine, and said the United State and its allies are ready to impose fresh sanctions if Moscow doesn't make good on its commitments. 'My hope is we do see follow-through,' Obama said at an impromptu news conference at the White House a few hours after Secretary of State John Kerry wrapped up a meeting in Geneva with diplomats from Russia, Ukraine and the European Union. 'The question now becomes, will in fact they use the influence that they've exerted in a disruptive way to restore some order so that Ukrainians can carry out an election, move forward with the decentralization reforms that they've proposed, stabilize their economy and start getting back on the path of growth and democracy and that their sovereignty will be respected?' he said.
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The President held an impromptu press conference after Secretary of State John Kerry wrapped up successful peace negotiations in Geneva
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President Obama said he hopes Russia will use it's new position in the Ukraine to bring stability
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However, if they use their power in a 'disruptive way', Mr Obama says he will hit back with fresh sanctions
In his comments from the @placeholder, Obama noted that Russia has thousands of troops massed along its border with eastern Ukraine, a deployment he called a measure of intimidation.