Story highlights
NEW: Vladimir Putin says U.S. sanctions are pushing Russia-U.S. relations into a stalemate
President Barack Obama says Russia failed to take steps to end Ukraine conflict
New sanctions target Russian banks, energy, defense firms, as well as Ukraine separatists
The Pentagon says Russia has increased troops at Ukraine's border
Russia has failed to take steps to end the Ukraine conflict, President Barack Obama said Wednesday in announcing expanded sanctions targeting two banks, two energy companies, Ukraine separatists and defense companies.
European Union leaders also said they intended to increase sanctions, signaling growing Western concern over Russia’s continued support for separatists battling the Ukrainian military in the country’s eastern region.
“We have to see concrete actions, and not just words that Russia in fact is committed to trying to end this conflict along the Russia-Ukraine border,” Obama told reporters at the White House.
