More Russian aggression in Ukraine. More U.S. and European sanctions imposed on Moscow. What seems like diplomatic tail-chasing so many months into the Ukraine conflict invites questions about how Western powers can defuse the worsening conflict in Eastern Europe. U.S. President Barack Obama and the European Union raised the stakes on Tuesday, announcing long-threatened sanctions that target Russia's state-owned banks, weapons makers and oil companies, along with top cronies of President Vladimir Putin. They want Putin to stop arming pro-Russian separatists fighting the Ukraine government and instead support a political process that entrenches President Petro Poroshenko's elected leadership. A deeper concern is that Putin may be planning to grab more territory from the former Soviet satellite following Russia's annexation of Crimea earlier this year.
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Russia says new sanctions will harm relations with Washington
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Expanded sanctions target Russian banks, arms industry, oil development
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EU joins Obama after initially balking due to economic concerns
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Another possible option: take the 2018 soccer World Cup from Russia
U.S.
U.S.
@placeholder, EU hit Russia with more sanctions as Ukraine fighting continues
European Union
EU
U.S., @placeholder hit Russia with more sanctions as Ukraine fighting continues
Ukraine
Ukraine
Ukraine
U.S., EU hit Russia with more sanctions as @placeholder fighting continues
Vladimir Putin
Putin
Putin
In response, Obama announced expanded U.S. sanctions on July 16 that targeted two Russian state-owned banks, two energy companies, eight weapons makers, along with some @placeholder associates and separatist leaders.
Barack Obama
Obama
Almost two weeks after @placeholder initially expanded the U.S. sanctions, European leaders agreed Tuesday to coordinate similar steps.
Vladimir Putin
Putin
Putin
In a major expansion signaling new resolve, they went after eight of @placeholder's top associates, along with Russia's finance, energy and weapons industries.
Eastern Europe
"It is meant as a strong warning: Illegal annexation of territory and deliberate destabilization of a neighboring sovereign country cannot be accepted in 21st century @placeholder," the EU said in a statement.
Russian
Russia
Russia
Russia
Russian
Russia
To the U.S. officials, the sanctions announced Tuesday are "the most significant tool we have to shape @placeholder decision-making."
Petro Poroshenko
Obama and EU leaders made clear that Putin could avoid the increasing international isolation Russia faces by working with @placeholder's government in Ukraine, instead of helping the separatists fight against it.
Russian
Russia
Russia
Russia
Russian
Russia
"This is a choice that @placeholder and President Putin in particular has made."