Exclusive - Obama may call EU leaders in Russia sanctions push: sources

U.S. President Barack Obama takes part in a EU-US summit in Brussels March 26, 2014. REUTERS/Yves Herman

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama is expected to speak to several European leaders on Friday to try to nudge the EU toward fresh sanctions against Russia over Ukraine, sources familiar with the matter said.

Disagreements among European Union nations on whether to impose new economic sanctions on Russia have held up punitive steps by the United States, said the sources on condition of anonymity, but Washington could also act on its own.