U.S. Says Russia Is Stoking Ukraine Conflict Before Talks

The U.S. urged its European allies to support deeper sanctions against Russia and accused its former Cold War foe of sending heavy weapons and other support to separatists as peace talks struggled to inch forward.

President Barack Obama’s administration pressed European Union ambassadors at a meeting yesterday to halt what American officials called Russian President Vladimir Putin’s destabilizing actions, according to three participants. The U.S. may sanction Russia’s financial and defense industries -- with or without its European allies -- and measures could be imposed as soon as this week, U.S. officials said on condition of anonymity.