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EU and US 'united' over crisis in Ukraine EU and US consider 'deeper sanctions' against Russia
(35 minutes later)
The leaders of the European Union and the United States have stressed they are united over the crisis in Ukraine. The US and EU are discussing "deeper sanctions" against Russia if there are "further incursions into Ukraine".
US President Barack Obama said Russia had been isolated as result of its actions in Crimea, but that diplomatic channels for Moscow remained open. US President Barack Obama said "energy is obviously a central focus of our efforts", acknowledging it "will have some impact on the global economy".
"The world is safer and more just" when the EU and US stand together, he said. He was speaking after talks in Brussels with EU leaders Jose Manuel Barroso and Herman Van Rompuy.
Other issues Mr Obama discussed with EU leaders Jose Manuel Barroso and Herman Van Rompuy included a trade partnership. At a news conference the three men spoke of the special relationship between the transatlantic partners.
He said they had agreed to "step up efforts to boost growth" by working towards finalising details on a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, which would remove trade barriers between the EU and US. Mr Obama said: "The world is safer and more just when Europe and America stand as one". Mr Van Rompuy, European Council president, called it a "crucial" relationship.
They also reviewed negotiations on Iran's nuclear programme as well as efforts to eliminate Syria's chemical weapons. Their talks at the headquarters of the 28-nation EU bloc also covered plans to finalise a transatlantic trade partnership, as well as efforts to tackle Iran's nuclear programme and Syria's chemical weapons.
High tensionsHigh tensions
But it was on Ukraine that the three men emphasised they "stand united". Mr Obama praised the EU for the steps it had already taken - along with the US - to penalise Russia. These have included visa bans and asset freezes against a number of Russian officials.
He said those actions were taken after Russian forces moved in to annex Crimea, and they now must consider "the potential for additional, deeper sanctions" should Moscow attempt to do the same in other parts of Ukraine.
"We recognise that in order for Russia to feel the impact of these sanctions, it will have some impact on the global economy as well as on all the countries represented here today," Mr Obama said.
Acknowledging that some EU countries are more dependent than others on Russia for energy, he said "this entire event has pointed to the need for Europe to look at how it can further diversify its energy sources".
Stressing unity between the EU and US, Mr Obama said Russia's leaders had "clearly miscalculated" if they thought they could "drive a wedge" between them.
Mr Van Rompuy called Russia's actions in Crimea "a disgrace in the 21st century, and we will not recognise it".Mr Van Rompuy called Russia's actions in Crimea "a disgrace in the 21st century, and we will not recognise it".
Mr Obama said Russia's leaders had "clearly miscalculated" if they thought they could "drive a wedge between the European Union and the United States".
He praised the EU for the steps it had already taken - along with the US - to penalise Russia and warned Moscow that the "isolation will deepen" if it carries on with its current course.
Ukraine's southern peninsula of Crimea was annexed by Russia earlier this month after a referendum which Kiev and the West considered illegal.Ukraine's southern peninsula of Crimea was annexed by Russia earlier this month after a referendum which Kiev and the West considered illegal.
Tensions between Russia and Ukraine run high. Moscow accused Ukrainian officials on Wednesday of preventing Russian commercial pilots and crew from disembarking at Kiev International Airport. It follows the ousting of Ukraine's pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych at the end of February following months of bloody protests over his decision to seek greater ties with Moscow rather than the EU.
Tensions between Russia and Ukraine remain high. Moscow accused Ukrainian officials on Wednesday of preventing Russian commercial pilots and crew from disembarking at Kiev International Airport.
Remembering WW1
This is Mr Obama's first official visit to the EU headquarters in Brussels.This is Mr Obama's first official visit to the EU headquarters in Brussels.
He began his trip to Belgium with a visit to a cemetery in Flanders, where US soldiers killed in World War One are buried.He began his trip to Belgium with a visit to a cemetery in Flanders, where US soldiers killed in World War One are buried.
He paid tribute to fallen US soldiers at the American Cemetery and Memorial in Waregem, to mark 100 years since the start of WW1. Belgian King Philippe and Prime Minister Elio di Rupo were also in attendance.He paid tribute to fallen US soldiers at the American Cemetery and Memorial in Waregem, to mark 100 years since the start of WW1. Belgian King Philippe and Prime Minister Elio di Rupo were also in attendance.
Following his talks with EU Council President Herman Van Rompuy and EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, Mr Obama will meet Nato Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen. Following his talks with Mr Van Rompuy and EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, Mr Obama will meet Nato Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen.
In a major speech later, he is due to stress the importance of European security to the US, and warn Russia against threatening international stability.In a major speech later, he is due to stress the importance of European security to the US, and warn Russia against threatening international stability.
The president flew in on Tuesday evening from the Dutch city of The Hague where he attended a summit on nuclear security with other world leaders.The president flew in on Tuesday evening from the Dutch city of The Hague where he attended a summit on nuclear security with other world leaders.
Security is high in the Belgian capital, with police cordoning off areas near the EU headquarters and Mr Obama's hotel.Security is high in the Belgian capital, with police cordoning off areas near the EU headquarters and Mr Obama's hotel.
Some extra 800 police officers have been deployed on Brussels' streets for the duration of Mr Obama's visit.Some extra 800 police officers have been deployed on Brussels' streets for the duration of Mr Obama's visit.
In total, Belgium has spent 10m euros (£8.35m) on increased security.In total, Belgium has spent 10m euros (£8.35m) on increased security.
The US president will stay in Brussels for less than 24 hours before travelling to Rome for a meeting with Pope Francis.The US president will stay in Brussels for less than 24 hours before travelling to Rome for a meeting with Pope Francis.