"The United States is not in the business of trading one thing for another in its international relations,” said Nuland, according to Ukraine Today.

According to the official, US President Barack Obama recently held a telephone conversation with Vladimir Putin, stressing that Moscow has, on its part, to ensure “that there is a full ceasefire, that there is a full exchange of hostages, that there is a full withdrawal of all weapons and foreign forces, and that the border is returned to Ukraine."

Victoria Nuland has also praised efforts of the Ukrainian authorities to follow recommendations of the country’s western partners by working toward granting the regions some powers of self-rule.

See unian.info’s video section for more of the latest news from Ukraine in video from Ukraine Today, Ukraine’s 24-hour English-language news channel.