EU plans to expand sanctions on Russia

The European Union is preparing new sanctions against Russia amid concerns over increased violence in Eastern Ukraine.

A draft statement obtained by Reuters would extend sanctions by six months, expand their reach and target new individuals for asset freezes and travel bans.

{mosads}The draft was released a day after President Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke by phone to discuss the latest advances by pro-Russian separatists. The government in Kiev says dozens of people were killed over the weekend in an attack on the port of Mariupol, the latest violation of a fragile five-month ceasefire agreement.

“The two leaders expressed concern about the significant increase in violence in eastern Ukraine and Russia’s materiel support for the separatists and its failure to fulfill its commitment under the Minsk Agreement, and they agreed on the need to hold Russia accountable for its actions,” the White House said in a statement.

A senior administration official said Tuesday that the U.S. would be discussing conditions in Ukraine with its allies in the coming days, and watching how Russia acts. The official said there was a “clear precedent” that the U.S. would look for ways to ratchet up pressure on Moscow if Russia escalates its activities.

European leaders are likely to vote on the expanded sanctions during a meeting scheduled for Feb. 12. The U.S. has traditionally announced new sanctions against Russia in concert with Europe.