Ukraine conflict: President Obama blames Russia for violence

Russia is responsible for the violence in eastern Ukraine, the US President has said.

Speaking at a news conference in Washington, President Barack Obama accused Russia of encouraging, training, arming and funding separatists in the region and warned that Russia was already isolated internationally.

He added that he would re-affirm the US's "unwavering commitment to.... Ukraine and its people" when President Petro Poroshenko visits the White House in September.