‘Increased consequences’ if Russia annexes parts of Ukraine, warns U.S.

(Reuters) – There will be increased consequences if Russia were to annex parts of Ukraine, a senior U.S. State Department official said on Tuesday, as Moscow-installed leaders in occupied areas of four Ukrainian regions planned to hold referendums on joining Russia.

“We have made clear that there will be increased consequences. We have … a number of tools,” the official said.

(Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk in New York; Writing by Costas Pitas; Editing by Sandra Maler)