White House Says Russia Still Isn't De-Escalating in Ukraine

The White House said on Wednesday that Russia had failed to take steps needed to ease the crisis in Ukraine, striking an ominous tone that appeared to position the United States for a new round of economic sanctions against Moscow.

President Barack Obama in recent weeks has repeatedly threatened fresh new sanctions, and appears now to have run out of patience as fighting continued to rage in Eastern Ukraine.

"There are some clear steps that we've asked Russia to take that they haven't taken. And that is what has elevated the risk that Russia faces right now as it relates to additional economic costs that could be imposed by the international community," White House spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters.