Mediaboss Marketing

Ukraine pushed on with an operation to flush separatists from their eastern holdouts as the top U.S. and U.K. diplomats raised the prospect of punishing Russia with industrywide sanctions if this months election is undermined.

If Russia or its proxies disrupt the elections, the U.S. and its allies will impose sectoral economic sanctions as a result, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said in London today after meeting his counterparts from the U.K., Italy, France and Germany. Separatists are literally sowing mayhem, seeking to speak for everyone through the barrel of a gun.

Discord over the election risks another round of escalation as the Kiev government and its U.S. and European Union allies blame Russia for the unrest in Ukraines easternmost regions. In rejection of Russian calls to include separatist leaders in national unity talks, they werent allowed to join meetings that began yesterday in the capital to ease tensions as the May 25 presidential vote looms. With U.S. and EU leaders threatening more sanctions over the ballot, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said its ridiculous to hold Russia responsible.

More on the Crisis in Ukraine:

Government troops eliminated two rebel bases near the towns of Slovyansk and Kramatorsk, acting President Oleksandr Turchynov said today in parliament in Kiev. Militants vowed to expel the military from the region.

The anti-terrorist operation can stop after weapons are surrendered and hostages released, Turchynov said. Were conducting dialogue with those whore prepared for conversation and cooperation. Were working on changes to the constitution to expand powers to local self-government. At the same time, those who conduct war will receive an adequate answer.

While Lavrov said yesterday that Ukraines slide into a civil war is making legitimate voting impossible, Kerry appealed to separatists to take part in the presidential ballot and engage in national dialogue as the best way to de-escalate the situation.

Russias Micex Index ended a six-day rally as Ukraine stepped up efforts to dislodge separatists. The benchmark gauge fell 0.5 percent to 1,381.99, taking its drop since the start of President Vladimir Putins intervention in Crimea on March 1 to 4.3 percent. The ruble lost 0.1 percent to 34.76 versus the dollar, trimming its advance since Feb. 28 to 3.2 percent.

A Snapshot of Ukraine's Past and Future

Ukraines hryvnia, which has lost 30 percent against the U.S. currency in 2014, strengthened for the first time in six days, gaining 0.9 percent, data compiled by Bloomberg show.

Go here to read the rest:
Ukraine Pushes On With Offensive as Russia Warns on Vote