By: Richard Meyer ~Copy Editor~

The U.S., along with help from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), broadened sanctions against Russia last week.

NATO leaders met for a summit in Wales to discuss a possible ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia as a hiatus to the fighting that has been occurring since March. The ceasefire follows talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko.
Putin devised a seven-point plan for the truce which included the Ukrainian government forces pulling back to a distance that would make artillery fire against civilian areas impossible as well as prisoner exchange, among other agreements.

“[W]e are hopeful, but based on past experience also skeptical,” President Obama said on the ceasefire.

Despite the negotiations between the two leaders, NATO will continue its sanctions against Russia as further incentive for the two countries to reach a peaceful agreement.

NATO countries have already restricted their involvement in the Russian economy, giving the country less financial aid as well as limiting the importation and exportation of goods to allied countries.

NATO’s aid to Ukraine will also be in a delicate balancing act, deciding which sanctions will go forward while staving off military involvement.

According to USA Today, “the U.S. and other NATO nations have so far ruled out providing weapons to Ukraine for fear the fighting would escalate into a full-scale war.” Rather, the U.S. will continue trade of non-lethal goods with Ukraine.