Outgoing European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso speaking at a joint news conference with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko in Kyiv today:
"The cease-fire agreed last week in Minsk within the framework of the contact group is certainly a positive step, which needs to be upheld and respected. However, it is still insufficient to guarantee sustainable peace."
"While we are committed to reach out and seek negotiated solutions, we also do not hesitate to respond decisively to Russia's unacceptable behavior."
"According to the UN, the number of displaced people in eastern Ukraine has more than doubled during the past three weeks -- 260,000 people. Approximately nine percent of the overall Ukrainian population is in conflict zones. Just yesterday the European Commission has decided to mobilize an additional 22 million euros to meet the most urgent needs of the population."
Here's a link to the U.S. Treasury Department's text concerning fresh Russia sanctions. (h/t: @joshuafoust)
The United States Treasury Department has announced another round of sanctions aimed at Russia, targeting defense and energy sectors and the private bank Sberbank.