From our newsroom:
France says U.S. President Barack Obama and European leaders have agreed that a "strong reaction" would be necessary if a cease-fire between Ukraine and pro-Russian separatists is violated.
French President Francois Hollande's office said that in a March 3 video conference, the leaders underscored their support for a truce negotiated in Minsk.
"They have agreed that a strong reaction from the international community would be necessary in case of a major breach of the process put in place in Minsk," it said in a statement.
The leaders of Britain, Germany, and Italy also participated in the conference, as did European Council President Donald Tusk of Poland.
Kyiv and Western governments accuse Russia of backing separatists in eastern Ukraine with troops and arms despite the February 12 peace deal, a charge Moscow denies.
Based on reporting by Reuters and AFP
We are now closing the live blog for today. Until we resume tomorrow, you can keep up with all our ongoing Ukraine coverage here.
Here's an update from our news desk:
The U.S. military estimates some 12,000 Russian soldiers are supporting pro-Moscow separatists in eastern Ukraine.
U.S. Army Europe Commander Ben Hodges said the Russian forces are made up of military advisers, weapons operators and combat troops.
Hodges also said some 29,000 Russian troops are in Crimea, which Moscow annexed from Ukraine last year.
Hodges said in Berlin on March 3 that helping Ukraine with weapons would increase the stakes for Russian President Vladimir Putin at home.
He added that "when mothers start seeing sons come home dead, when that price goes up, then that domestic support begins to shrink."
Russia denies aiding the rebels.
Hodges said what Ukraine wants "is intelligence, counterfire capability and something that can stop a Russian tank."
The White House still hasn't decided whether to send arms to Ukraine, and Hodges reiterated Washington wanted a diplomatic solution.
(AP, Reuters)