US President Barack Obama has called on his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to use his influence to rein in pro-Moscow protesters in eastern Ukraine. <br /><br />The two leaders spoke by phone as militia continue to occupy government buildings.<br /><br />Putin has rejected accusations that Russia is behind the agitation.<br /><br />Meanwhile his Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is in Beijing for talks in the capital where the situation in Ukraine has been discussed.<br /><br />Lavrov thanked the Chinese “for an unbiased and well-balanced position” according to the TASS news agency.<br /><br />British Foreign Secretary William Hague is convinced Russia is behind the unrest in Ukraine: “There is very little doubt, there can’t really be any real doubt, that this is something that has been planned and brought about by Russia. The forces involved are well-armed, well-trained, well-equipped, well coordinated, behaving in exactly the same way as what turned out to be Russian forces behaving in Crimea.”<br /><br />EU foreign ministers came together in Brussels, and Ukraine was central to their talks.<br /><br />They decided to add to the list of 18 Russian and Crimean individuals who are subject to a travel ban and asset freeze. <br /><br />Further, what are called Phase Three sanctions, are under discussion.
