EU foreign ministers said on Monday they would expand a list of names targeted by EU sanctions.

 

Tension has been rising in Ukraine, with pro-Russian activists¹ occupying buildings in more eastern towns.

 

Also on Monday, the US said a Russian fighter jet repeated close-range passes over a US warship² in the Black Sea. 

 

US President Barack Obama and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin spoke³ by phone on Monday evening.

 

Mr Putin told Mr Obama that allegations of Russian interference in Ukraine were "based on questionable⁴ information".

 

The unrest in the east was the result "of the unwillingness⁵ and inability of the leadership in Kiev to take into account the interests of the Russian-speaking population", the Kremlin said. 

 

The White House said Mr Obama told Mr Putin of his "grave concern" about Russian support for armed separatists and he urged the Russian leader to use his influence with pro-Moscow groups to convince them to leave occupied buildings.

 

He warned: "The costs Russia already has incurred⁶ will increase if those actions persist."

 

After a meeting in Luxembourg, EU foreign ministers said they had decided⁷ to expand "the list of those subject to assets freezes and visa bans". 

 

Earlier, UK Foreign Secretary William Hague had told reporters that he believed the seizure⁸ of official buildings in eastern Ukrainian towns and cities "is something that is being planned and brought about by Russia".

 

Moscow denies fomenting⁹ the unrest.

 

EU foreign ministers also approved measures to provide up to 1bn euros (£800m; $1.4bn) of economic assistance to Ukraine.

 

The ministers backed "the temporary reduction or elimination¹⁰ of customs duties" for Ukrainian exports to the EU.

 

In Washington, the US signed a $1bn loan guarantee agreement for Ukraine after a meeting between US Treasury¹¹ Secretary Jacob Lew and his Ukrainian counterpart, Oleksandr Shlapak.

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