Obama: 'Russia is responsible for the violence in eastern Ukraine'

President Obama on Thursday directly accused Russia of fomenting the violence in eastern Ukraine, saying the pro-Russian separatists were not part of an organic uprising against Kiev.

"Russia is responsible for the violence in eastern Ukraine," Obama said, adding that it was not a "homegrown, indigenous" revolt.

Russia, Obama said, was providing training, equipment, and manpower to the rebels who have overrun pockets of eastern Ukraine. Yet he stopped short of calling Russia's actions a full-scale invasion, instead referring to the situation as an "ongoing Russian incursion."

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Obama's remarks came on the same day that NATO released satellite images it said showed Russian military convoys amassing just across the Ukrainian border.