More from our news desk on Putin's latest comments:
Russian President Vladimir Putin said talks on ending the conflict in eastern Ukraine must discuss statehood for the region.
In an interview to Russia's TV Channel One aired on August 31 Putin said: "We need to immediately begin substantive talks…on questions of the political organization of society and statehood for southeastern Ukraine with the goal of protecting the lawful interests of the people who live there."
Putin also said that Moscow could not stand aside "when people are being shot at almost at point blank" in Ukraine.
The West accuses Russia of supporting pro-Moscow separatist rebels who are fighting Ukrainian government forces.
Moscow denies the accusations.
The European Union has threatened Russia with new trade sanctions if Moscow fails to start reversing its action in Ukraine.
BREAKING: Russian President Vladimir Putin said talks on ending the conflict in eastern Ukraine must discuss statehood for the region.
Good morning. Latest news today is the prisoner exchange:
Russian media reported that Ukraine has handed over ten captured Russian paratroopers and Russia has returned 63 Ukrainian soldiers who crossed into its territory last week.
The prisoners' exchange took place in the early hours of August 31.
General Aleksei Ragozin, the deputy commander of the Russian paratroop forces said the paratroopers had been handed back after "very difficult" negotiations.
Russian NTV reported that the paratroopers handed back at the Nekhoteyevka border crossing were sent to Moscow for medical and psychological treatment.
Ukraine said last week it had captured 10 Russian paratroopers and presented them to the press as evidence that the Russian military is fighting alongside pro-Moscow rebels in eastern Ukraine.
Russia said the paratroopers had mistakenly crossed an unmarked area of the border while on patrol.
This ends our live-blogging for August 30. Please be sure to check back tomorrow for our continuing coverage.