BRASILIA, July 16 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said here Wednesday that expanded U.S. sanctions will push U.S.-Russian relations to a "dead end."

The Russian leader, who was on a visit to Brazil, told reports that the U.S. moves will seriously damage the Russian-U.S. relationship.

Putin also expressed the need to see the details of the sanctions to understand their full scope.

"One has to look what these sanctions are, to sort this out thoroughly, without haste, calmly," he was quoted as saying by Russia's Itar-Tass news agency.

The United States on Wednesday escalated sanctions against Russia over the Ukraine crisis, targeting firms in Russia's financial, energy and arms sectors.

The sanctions also involved individuals Washington accused of undermining Ukraine's sovereignty or misappropriating Ukrainian property, said a statement issued by U.S. Treasury Department.

"What we are expecting is that the Russian leadership will see once again that its actions in Ukraine have consequences, including a weakening Russian economy and increasing diplomatic isolation," U.S. President Barack Obama said in an address at the White House.

European leaders also agreed on Wednesday to expand sanctions against Russia in line with the U.S. actions. A first list of targeted entities and persons will be decided by the end of July.