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President Barack Obama says new sanctions targeting Russia are, quote, "teed up." But he says the United States needs support from allies to make the sanctions work and says he is working to build such backing.
Obama said Russia has not abided by the spirit or the letter of an agreement reached in Geneva last week that aimed to ease tensions in eastern Ukraine.
He says Russia has not stepped in to halt aggressive moves by pro-Russian insurgents in eastern Ukraine
Obama made his remarks during a news conference with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during his first stop of a four-country tour of Asia.
Obama's caution came in the wake of a warning by the Russian foreign minister that attacks on Russian interests in Ukraine would bring a firm response.
