This just in from our News Desk:
The Kremlin says Russian President Vladimir Putin told his Ukrainian counterpart, Petro Poroshenko, on September 9 that Moscow remains committed to "further assist" the Ukrainian peace process.
The Kremlin said in a statement that in the course of the telephone conversation, "the importance of maintaining steady a cease-fire regime in the southeast of Ukraine was stressed."
The cease-fire, which took effect on September 5, appears generally to hold, despite violations reported by both sides.
Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said he hoped that talks would start soon on the status of eastern Ukraine, where pro-Russian separatists have been waging an armed rebellion.
The separatists are seeking independence for eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions, where they declared so-called "people's republics."
The Ukrainian government has promised greater autonomy to the mainly Russian-speaking region but rules out independence.
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."