European leaders harden stance against Russia but stop short of imposing new sanctions

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said signing the pact may be the 'most important day' for his country since it became independent (AP)

Daniel McConnell

European leaders hardened their stance against Russia but have stopped short of imposing new sanctions at the EU summit in Brussels today.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has been to date reluctant to escalate tensions with Moscow, but today agreed to increase the pressure on Russian Premier, Vladamir Putin.