WASHINGTON, Dec. 2 – US President Barack Obama and new European Council President Donald Tusk in a recent telephone call assessed what further actions may be necessary in response to Russia's destabilizing actions in eastern Ukraine and Crimea.

"The leaders agreed that sanctions against Russia cannot be eased until Russia meets its commitments under the Minsk agreements, and reiterated the joint U.S. and EU condemnation of Russia's occupation and attempted annexation of Crimea," according to a readout of the Obama's telephone call to Tusk.