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.”
The Pentagon has concluded a new agreement to buy laser-guidance kits that turn rockets into drone-killing weapons. BAE Systems and the Defense Department announced a framework deal of up to seven years for 25,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System guidance kits annually for the U.S. military.