More from AFP:
"There is and can be no talk of federalization or some estrangement (by the rebel-held regions)," [Poroshenko] told a cabinet meeting. "The law on temporary self-rule in individual districts of the Donetsk and Lugansk regions provides for a status that keeps these regions in Ukraine."
Pro-Russian rebels insist on independence from Ukraine. -- AFP
Malaysian defense chief, Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, is in Moscow to discuss the investigation into the MH17 crash, AP and Interfax report. He will reportedly meet with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin.
Malaysia's prime minister said yesterday that those findings suggest the Malaysian airliner was shot down by a ground-to-air missile.
Agencies quote Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko as saying he will submit a bill to parliament granting parts of eastern Ukraine special status but that the accord signed with pro-Russian separatists last week preserves the concept of a united Ukraine.
Pro-Kyivan military blogger Dmitry Tymchuk this morning alleges a continued Russian troop and weapons buildup near Novoazovsk, at the southeastern tip of Ukraine. He also says there's a "continuing concentration of Russian troops occupying northern Crimea."
That concludes our live blogging of the Ukraine crisis for Tuesday, September 9.
U.S. State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf speaking today at a press briefing in Washington:
On the Dutch report about the July 17 downing of a Malaysian airliner over eastern Ukraine
"This leaves and highlights many questions that Russia must still answer about the possible involvement of its equipment, about the separatists it backs, about their involvement in the events that led to the crash of this airplane. So obviously we -- and not just us, but more importantly the families of the victims -- deserve answers, and we’d like the Russian government to provide some of those answers."
On the cease-fire in eastern Ukraine:
"Our assessment is that the cease-fire in general is mostly holding, although there are reports of mortar attacks and small-arms fire around a couple places, including the Donetsk airport, and reports of more intense violence in Luhansk and Donetsk, as well. So obviously it’s something we’re continuing to monitor. But again, it’s mostly holding."
On potential fresh U.S. sanctions against Russia:
"The United States is finalizing measures to both deepen and broaden our sanctions across Russia’s financial, energy, and defense sectors. We’re in close coordination with the EU on this."
"We have tools at the ready. We are finalizing these packages. But we’re going to make decisions based on what’s happening on the ground in the next few days."
On an Estonian security services officer detained by Russia in an alleged cross-border seizure:
"We are following this issue as it develops and call on Russia to act expeditiously to ensure the employee is returned safely and immediately to Estonia."