Obama and Hollande Want Europe to Take Harder Line With Russia Over Ukraine

July 8, 2014

Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) walks with French President Francois Hollande as U.S. President Barack Obama walks with Britain's Queen Elizabeth after a group photo for the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Benouville, France.

WASHINGTON — U.S. President Barack Obama and French President Francois Hollande have decided that Europe should impose further costs on Russia if Moscow does not immediately take steps to de-escalate tensions in eastern Ukraine, the White House said.

The two leaders spoke by phone. They agreed that Russia should stop "destabilizing activities" such as allowing and facilitating the transit of weapons and fighters across the border and should cease its own military build-up near the Ukrainian border and its ongoing support for separatists, the White House said Monday.

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