The Russian currency fell by more than 3 percent early Monday, after Western leaders threatened to punish Russia for escalated fighting in eastern Ukraine over the weekend. The ruble tumbled to 65.8 to the dollar from 63.7, one day after rocket fire left at least 30 civilians dead in the city of Mariupol. Western leaders announced that they would consider further punitive measures against Russia for what they say is its role in supporting the separatists, while Russian officials blamed Ukrainian forces for the attack. The Russian currency, buffeted by Western sanctions and plummeting oil prices, has already lost about half its value in the past year. While sanctions are set to expire this summer, U.S. President Barack Obama said Sunday that his country would work with its European partners to “ratchet up the pressure on Russia” after the latest violence. EU officials said they would […]