President Barack Obama says the US and its European allies remain committed to finding a diplomatic solution to tensions with Russia over the Ukraine crisis.<br /><br /> He was speaking at the White House with visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who is at the forefront of delicate European efforts to reach a deal with President Vladimir Putin.<br /><br /> “We continue to pursue a diplomatic solution despite suffering setbacks and we will find out in the coming days whether there is a will on all sides for such a solution to be found,” the German leader told a news conference.<br /><br /> Merkel added that she does not see a military solution to the crisis.<br /><br /> Under pressure from some in the Republican-controlled Congress to send weapons to Ukraine, the President is keeping an open mind.<br /><br /> “If in fact diplomacy fails, what I have asked my team to do is to look at all options – what other means can we put in place to change Mr Putin’s calculus ,” he told reporters. <br /><br /> “The possibility of legal defensive weapons
