US considers harder line on Russia

Obama administration officials are considering new deterrence strategies to rein in Russian meddling in Europe, in what some say would amount to an updated version of Cold War-era containment, the Wall Street Journal reported Saturday.

The proposed approach involves beefing up the militaries of allies and would-be partners and rooting out government corruption, which they see Moscow exploiting to gain more influence, the paper added.

Some administration officials also want to expand the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to limit Moscow's orbit. Membership for Ukraine or Georgia remains off the table, but some Pentagon and administration officials are advocating admitting the small Balkan country of Montenegro to solidify the country’s ties to the West and show that Putin doesn’t have a veto over alliance expansion.

The latest policy discussions come as US President Barack Obama meets this weekend with leaders of the world's largest industrialized democracies in Germany, where he is expected to push European allies to extend sanctions on Russia against a backdrop of escalating violence in Ukraine.

US officials have acknowledged that economic sanctions haven't compelled Russian President Vladimir Putin to change his calculus, and they voiced concerns about both an uptick in violence in Ukraine and the use of heavy weaponry that was restricted by the cease-fire deal.

"It's clear the sanctions are working on the Russian economy, but what is not apparent is that that effect on his economy is deterring Putin from following the course that was evidenced in Crimea last year," said Defense Secretary Ash Carter, noting that Russian aggression would be "an enduring challenge."

The administration is accelerating work on new military technologies to better counter Russian military advances and try to offset advances by Moscow, and deter Russia from using its increasing military prowess.