Biden warns Ukraine on reforms, says EU sanctions on Russia at risk

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden delivers a speech in Riga, Latvia, August 23, 2016. REUTERS/Ints Kalnins

(Reuters) - U.S. Vice President Joe Biden on Wednesday warned Ukraine needs to live up to its promises on economic and political reforms or risk seeing the European Union walk away from its sanctions on Russia.

"We know that if they give an excuse to the EU, there are at least five countries right now that want to say 'We want out'" of sanctions against Moscow, Biden said, speaking to the Council on Foreign Relations in New York.