The US has imposed sanctions against separatists in eastern Ukraine, including asset freezes against seven pro-Russian leaders, as the crisis there shows no sign of easing.

The leaders of France, Germany and the United States agreed on Friday to impose additional sanctions against Russia, if the Kremlin does not pull back its troops from Ukraine's border and try to convince pro-Moscow separatists to lay down their arms, the DW reports.

President Vladimir Putin ordered forces in Russia's central military district to be put on full combat alert for a week.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest called the reports of the new Russian military buildup near the Ukraine border "troubling" and dismissed explanations from the Kremlin that the movement of security forces is related to border security.

"We will not accept any use of Russian military forces, under any pretext, in eastern Ukraine," Earnest said, as quoted by international media.

The Kremlin has stated that the troop movement was routine and NATO member states had been informed beforehand, however the State Department claimed that this was “the closest Russian troops have come to the Ukrainian territory since their invasion of Crimea“.

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