Vladimir Putin

FILE – This Feb. 28, 2014 file-pool, photo shows Russian President Vladimir Putin listens during his working meetings at the Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow, Russia. Tensions mounting, the U.S. and European allies struggle over whether threatened international penalties are enough to deter Russia from overtaking the strategic Crimean peninsula. Secretary of State John Kerry heads to Kiev in a diplomatic show of support for Ukraine but critics say it’s too little, too late. European leaders are concerned about Russia’s supplies of natural gas for their countries. (AP Photo/RIA-Novosti Presidential Press Service, Alexei Nikolsky, File-Pool)