Obama: There will be consequences if Ukrainian violence continues

US President Barack Obama said on Wednesday that there will be "consequences" if the Ukrainian government continues using violence on the country's peaceful protesters. "There will be consequences if people step over the line," said Obama while at a bilateral meeting with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto in Mexico. "And that includes making sure the Ukranian military does not step in to what should be a set of issues that can be resolved by civilians. Obama affirmed that the US has been engaged with European partners, the Ukrainian government and the opposition to make sure that the current violence comes to an end, as he expects the peaceful protestors to remain peaceful. "The Ukrainian people are able to assemble and speak freely about their interests without fear of repression," said Obama. "We believe that a large majority of Ukrainians are interested in an integration with Europe and the commerce and cultural exchanges that are possible for them to expand opportunity and prosperity." He added that he believes in a peaceful transition but it will require the government to seek a peaceful transition. Some visa restrictions have already been imposed by the US on Ukrainian officials. Yet, the White House and the Department of State mentioned here today that the possibility of sanctions to remain an option. "A part of this, as we've said, reviewing possible sanctions. Nothing to announce at this point, but it's certainly something that we are considering," said Deputy Spokesperson of the State Department, Marie Harf told reporters in her briefing. The State Department could not confirm if sanctions would be extended towards individuals or upon the entire country. "Obviously, part of the process here is determining who's responsible for the violence," said Harf. Russia, which maintains a close relationship with the Ukrainian government, also possesses a role in the level of violence present in Ukraine. Deputy National Security Advisor, Ben Rhodes told reporters during a press gaggle on Air Force One "the role we would like to see Russia play is of constructive support for reducing these tensions and allowing the Ukrainian people to determine their own future, and that we don't think that there should be, again, a situation where Russia is viewing this as some competition with the Europeon Union or the United States; rather, we all have an interest in a Ukraine that is stable." The death toll in Ukraine has now reached 26 as its citizens continue to protest the country's decision to strengthen ties with Russia instead of signing a trade pact with the European Union that would establish free trade for the country.