Empty threats, empty promises

David Stout and Denver Nicks have a Time article about Joe Biden:

Vice President Joe Biden has urged the Ukraine to become a partner for peace while on visit to Kiev, as the White House issues heavy threats of imposing further sanctions against Moscow if the Kremlin does not do more to bring pro-Russian forces to heel He urged policymakers to remove the “cancer of corruption” from Ukrainian society, as the White House warned Russian President Vladimir Putin (photo) that time is running short for Moscow to rein in pro-Russian separatists in accordance with an agreement struck last week.
“The opportunity to generate a united Ukraine, getting it right, is within your grasp. And we want to be your partner and friend in the project. We want to assist,” Biden said. “You have to fight the cancer of corruption that is endemic in your system right now,” Biden said in a meeting with nine members of the Rada, the Ukraine’s parliament. He urged the legislators to enact meaningful constitutional reforms, and offered Washington’s assistance as the country prepares for national elections on 25 May 2014. Biden met earlier in the day with Ukrainian President Oleksandr Turchynov to discuss economic and technical assistance amid the ongoing crisis sparked by last month’s occupation and annexation of the Crimea.
In a briefing in Washington, White House press secretary Jay Carney said Moscow could face further sanctions if it doesn’t pull back Kremlin-backed insurgents occupying government buildings throughout the country’s restive east. “If there is not progress within days, we remain prepared, along with our European and G-7 partners, to impose additional costs on Russia for its destabilizing actions,” he said.
During a question-and-answer session, State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki appeared to up the ante when she conceded that the US government would consider levying further sanctions against the Russian leadership, including measures targeting Putin personally, if efforts to de-escalate the crisis in the Ukraine failed.
“Yes, it is important to lay out consequences. US able to sanction people, companies, and sectors. Goal not sanctions. Goal de-escalation,” tweeted Psaki. “Range of officials under consideration. Plenty to sanction before we would discuss President Putin.”
According to the deal reached in Switzerland between the US, Russia, the EU, and the Ukraine, “all illegal armed groups must be disarmed, all illegally seized buildings must be returned to legitimate owners.”
In the four days since, pro-Russian forces have shown few signs of acknowledging the Geneva agreement. While many of the protesters camped out at government buildings throughout the eastern Ukraine are locals, analysts and the US government increasingly agree they are being supported by Russian special forces.
In Moscow, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov dismissed the use of ultimatums by US officials, and accused Washington of colluding with fascist elements in the Ukraine.
“Before giving us ultimatums, demanding that we fulfill demands within two or three days with the threat of sanctions, we would urgently call on our American partners to fully accept responsibility for those who they brought to power,” said Lavrov, according to Russia Today.
Tensions in the eastern Ukraine remain high in the wake of a deadly shoot-out in Slavyansk between pro-government and separatist forces. Reports also surfaced that separatist groups had detained at least three foreign journalists in the city.

Rico says oohh, fascist elements; them's fightin' words in Russia...