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Ukraine crisis: EU and US mull further sanctions on Russia Ukraine crisis: EU and US mull further sanctions on Russia
(about 3 hours later)
The EU and the US say they will impose "further costs" on Russia over its actions in Ukraine, as unrest continues in the east of the country.The EU and the US say they will impose "further costs" on Russia over its actions in Ukraine, as unrest continues in the east of the country.
EU foreign ministers said on Monday they would expand a list of names targeted by EU sanctions.EU foreign ministers said on Monday they would expand a list of names targeted by EU sanctions.
Tension has been rising in Ukraine, with pro-Russian activists occupying buildings in more eastern towns.Tension has been rising in Ukraine, with pro-Russian activists occupying buildings in more eastern towns.
Also on Monday, the US said a Russian fighter jet repeated close-range passes over a US warship in the Black Sea.Also on Monday, the US said a Russian fighter jet repeated close-range passes over a US warship in the Black Sea.
White House spokesman Jay Carney said President Barack Obama planned to speak by phone with Russia's Vladimir Putin about the Ukraine crisis, possibly as early as Monday. US President Barack Obama spoke by phone with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Monday evening, Mr Putin's office said.
In his news conference, Mr Carney warned that Russia's actions "will come with a cost.'' Mr Putin told Mr Obama that allegations of Russian interference in Ukraine were "based on questionable information".
The unrest in the east was the result "of the unwillingness and inability of the leadership in Kiev to take into account the interests of the Russian-speaking population".
In an earlier news conference, White House spokesman Jay Carney warned that Russia's actions "will come with a cost.''
However, he added that "lethal" military aid for Ukraine was not currently being considered.However, he added that "lethal" military aid for Ukraine was not currently being considered.
AssetsAssets
After a meeting in Luxembourg, EU foreign ministers said they had decided to expand "the list of those subject to assets freeze and visa ban". After a meeting in Luxembourg, EU foreign ministers said they had decided to expand "the list of those subject to assets freezes and visa bans".
Earlier, UK Foreign Secretary William Hague had told reporters that he believed seizures of official buildings in eastern Ukrainian towns and cities "is something that is being planned and brought about by Russia". Earlier, UK Foreign Secretary William Hague had told reporters that he believed the seizure of official buildings in eastern Ukrainian towns and cities "is something that is being planned and brought about by Russia".
Moscow denies fomenting unrest in eastern Ukraine. Moscow denies fomenting the unrest.
The EU foreign ministers also approved measures to provide up to 1bn euros (£800m; $1.4bn) of economic assistance to Ukraine.The EU foreign ministers also approved measures to provide up to 1bn euros (£800m; $1.4bn) of economic assistance to Ukraine.
The ministers also backed "the temporary reduction or elimination of customs duties" for Ukrainian exports to the EU. The ministers backed "the temporary reduction or elimination of customs duties" for Ukrainian exports to the EU.
In Washington, the US signed a $1bn loan guarantee agreement for Ukraine after a meeting between US Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew and his Ukrainian counterpart, Oleksandr Shlapak.In Washington, the US signed a $1bn loan guarantee agreement for Ukraine after a meeting between US Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew and his Ukrainian counterpart, Oleksandr Shlapak.
UN appealUN appeal
Earlier on Monday, pro-Russian activists attacked another official building in eastern Ukraine, ignoring a deadline to leave or face eviction by Ukrainian forces.Earlier on Monday, pro-Russian activists attacked another official building in eastern Ukraine, ignoring a deadline to leave or face eviction by Ukrainian forces.
A crowd stormed a police station in the town of Horlivka, near Donetsk, taking control of the building.A crowd stormed a police station in the town of Horlivka, near Donetsk, taking control of the building.
Interim President Olexander Turchynov had said Ukraine was preparing an "anti-terrorist operation" against gunmen occupying government buildings in a number of other towns and cities, but the deadline appeared to pass with no large-scale action from Kiev.Interim President Olexander Turchynov had said Ukraine was preparing an "anti-terrorist operation" against gunmen occupying government buildings in a number of other towns and cities, but the deadline appeared to pass with no large-scale action from Kiev.
Mr Turchynov has condemned "aggression" from Russia and suggested the UN could assist in any "anti-terrorist" operation.Mr Turchynov has condemned "aggression" from Russia and suggested the UN could assist in any "anti-terrorist" operation.
This would be highly unlikely as Russia has a veto on the Security Council, which would have to authorise any such action.This would be highly unlikely as Russia has a veto on the Security Council, which would have to authorise any such action.
However, Mr Turchynov also said Kiev was "not against" a vote on the future of the country, a key demand from protesters. However, Mr Turchynov also said Kiev was "not against" a vote on the future of the country, a key demand from protesters.
The pro-Russian groups who have seized government buildings in eastern regions are demanding local referendums on either increased local rights or an option to join the Russian Federation.The pro-Russian groups who have seized government buildings in eastern regions are demanding local referendums on either increased local rights or an option to join the Russian Federation.
The interim president suggested Kiev would be open to moving from a republic into a federation and giving broader rights to Ukraine's Russian speakers. The interim president suggested Kiev would be open to moving from a republic into a federation and giving broader rights to Ukraine's Russian-speakers.
But he appeared to suggest a national vote as opposed to several regional ones. Many observers say the outcome of a national referendum would be uncertain because most people in Kiev and the Ukrainian-speaking west reject the idea of federalisation.But he appeared to suggest a national vote as opposed to several regional ones. Many observers say the outcome of a national referendum would be uncertain because most people in Kiev and the Ukrainian-speaking west reject the idea of federalisation.
Putin's 'concern'Putin's 'concern'
Russian Foreign Ministry Sergei Lavrov said on Monday it was not in Russia's interests for Ukraine to break up but added that Moscow wanted all citizens of the country to be given equal treatment by Kiev.Russian Foreign Ministry Sergei Lavrov said on Monday it was not in Russia's interests for Ukraine to break up but added that Moscow wanted all citizens of the country to be given equal treatment by Kiev.
He also denied allegations that Russian agents had been fomenting unrest in eastern Ukraine and said he was seeking an explanation from the US about a visit by CIA director John Brennan to Kiev.He also denied allegations that Russian agents had been fomenting unrest in eastern Ukraine and said he was seeking an explanation from the US about a visit by CIA director John Brennan to Kiev.
The White House confirmed that Mr Brennan was in Kiev over the weekend but said the trip was routine, and that any suggestions to the contrary were "false".The White House confirmed that Mr Brennan was in Kiev over the weekend but said the trip was routine, and that any suggestions to the contrary were "false".
Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman told Interfax he had been "receiving many appeals from eastern Ukraine... calling on him to help in some form", and that he was watching developments "with a great deal of concern". Mr Putin's spokesman told Interfax he had been "receiving many appeals from eastern Ukraine... calling on him to help in some form", and that he was watching developments "with a great deal of concern".
At an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on Sunday, Russia urged Kiev not to use force against protesters in eastern Ukraine. Ukraine's foreign ministry said on Monday that it had proof Russian forces had been behind the "separatist operation" and said it would present its evidence at a meeting in Geneva later this week.
The Russian Ambassador to the UN, Vitaliy Churkin, called on the government in Kiev to "start a genuine dialogue".
He said the opinions and interests of protesters in eastern Ukraine had not been taken into consideration.
"The henchmen of Maidan [protest movement] must stop attacking their own people," said Mr Churkin.
But Ukraine's UN ambassador Yuriy Sergeyev said Moscow had artificially created the crisis in the east of the country.
Ukraine's foreign ministry said Monday that it had proof Russian forces had been behind the "separatist operation" and said it would present its evidence at a meeting in Geneva later this week.
Are you in eastern Ukraine? Have you been affected by the unrest? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject line "Ukraine".Are you in eastern Ukraine? Have you been affected by the unrest? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject line "Ukraine".
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
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