The US remains committed to finding a diplomatic solution to Russian aggression in Ukraine, though officials are disappointed that Russia continues to stoke unrest in the region, Secretary of State John Kerry said. “If Russian elements continue to sabotage the democratic process and prevent Ukraine from holding a free and fair election 19 days from now on the 25th, then we stand ready to implement additional sanctions,” Kerry said in a press statement after meeting with a European Union representative on May 6. The Russian-backed referendum to split Eastern Ukraine from the rest of the country “is really the Crimea playbook all over again” Kerry said. “No civilized nation is going to recognize the results of such a bogus effort,” he threatened. “We are not going to sit idly by while Russian elements fan the flames of instability.”
In a show force over the Pacific, the U.S. conducted separate bilateral exercises with South Korea and Japan in response to North Korea’s May 24 ballistic missile test. The North’s test reportedly included an intercontinental ballistic missile, launched while President Joe Biden flew home from the region. Also on May…