Ukraine Prime Minister Asks West Not to Lift Sanctions on Russia

Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk requested the West on Wednesday not to end the sanctions imposed on Russia till Ukraine gets back control over the entire country.

"We ask our partners not to lift sanctions until Ukraine takes control of its entire territory," Yatsenyuk said. "Crimea was, is and will be a part of Ukraine," said Yatsenyuk at the UN General Assembly, reports BBC.

Yatsenyuk told the UN General Assembly that Russian troops were still operating in eastern Ukraine. He urged Russia to pull back its military and to begin real peace talks. Ukraine was losing soldiers and civilians everyday in spite of the ceasefire, he said.

"We are the country that needs peace and it's difficult to hammer out any kind of peace deal at the barrel of a gun, made in Russia," Yatsenyuk said, reports Time Magazine.

Meanwhile, President Obama heavily criticized Russia at the UN General Assembly. Slamming Russia's actions, Obama said that it was an example of what happens when nations do not respect international laws and norms.

He also asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to pursue the path of peace and diplomacy, reports BBC.

"Russia poured arms into Eastern Ukraine, fueling violent separatists and a conflict that has killed thousands," Obama said. "When Ukraine started to reassert control over its territory, Russia gave up the pretense of merely supporting the separatists and moved troops across the border", he said, reports Newsweek.

Obama said that America does not hold the theory that might is right. America believes that "right makes might" and that larger countries should not bully smaller ones, he said.