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Russia says EU 'against peace' as US backs new sanctions

The Russian Foreign Ministry said the European Union has "made its choice against" a peace process in Ukraine by approving tougher sanctions against Russia.

President Barack Obama said the United States will join the EU in imposing sanctions on Russia's financial, energy and defence sectors after Moscow sent troops into eastern Ukraine last month.

David Cameron has spoken to European leaders and agreed to push ahead with the sanctions by the end of the week, his spokesman has confirmed.

After the announcement the Russian rouble reached a new historic low against the dollar.

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Ukraine President: Ceasefire 'difficult' to maintain

Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko says it is "difficult" to maintain the ceasefire because "terrorists are trying all the time to provoke" Kiev's troops.

He told a televised meeting of the government that Ukraine is "regrouping" its forces in the east of the country to defend territory, not to stage a new offensive.

He said the peace roadmap agreed last week between Ukraine and pro-Russian separatists preserves the concept of a sovereign, united Ukraine within its current borders.

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