BRUSSELS, July 15 - European Union leaders, under U.S. pressure to take a tougher stance towards Russia over the Ukraine crisis, could give the go-ahead on Wednesday to new sanctions but they will fall short of the far-reaching economic measures Washington wants, Reuters reported.

EU leaders, who meet in Brussels on Wednesday evening, are likely to give a green light to expanding the list of Ukrainians and Russians targeted with EU asset freezes and visa bans, diplomats said.