More from our newsroom on the continuing EU meeting in the Latvian capital, where foreign ministers are discussing the Ukraine conflict.
Ukraine Conflict Tops Agenda Of EU Meeting In Riga
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More from our newsroom on tonight's start of talks among EU foreign ministers:
The conflict in Ukraine is expected to dominate the agenda at a meeting of EU foreign ministers that begins tonight in the Latvian capital, Riga.
The two-day talks come amid heightened tension over Moscow's support for separatists in eastern Ukraine and the implementation of a fragile cease-fire agreement between Ukrainian government forces and the rebels.
EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini said the European Union is ready to step up sanctions against Russia and separatist leaders if necessary but that the implementation of the truce deal reached in Minsk on February 12 is "the way to go forward."
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said that ministers would discuss how to help the OSCE monitoring implementation on the ground, and that more needs to be done to make the cease-fire accord work.
"At the moment, we are trying to accelerate again the process.” Steinmeier said. “That is the issue in the foreground and not the question if there will be new sanctions."
More than 6,000 people have been killed since fighting erupted in eastern Ukraine in April 2014.
Based on reporting by AFP, AP, and Reuters
From our newsroom:
Russian gas giant Gazprom said on March 6 it had received a pre-payment for gas from Ukrainian state energy company Naftogaz ensuring supplies to Ukraine through mid-March.
Gazprom spokesman Sergei Kupriyanov said Ukraine had made another $15-million advance payment, enough to receive an additional 45.6 million cubic meters of gas.
The announcement came as Ukraine was facing an impending suspension of gas supplies that could have started as early as March 6.
Under the terms of an agreement the European Union (EU) helped mediate between Russia and Ukraine in October, Russia agreed to reduce the price it charges Ukraine for gas but Kyiv must pay in advance for gas it receives from Gazprom.
Ukraine faced a cut-off at the end of February but made a $15 million prepayment that at the time Kupriyanov said would give Ukraine an additional 24 hours of gas.
The EU has been concerned about its own supplies as 40 percent of the Russian gas the EU purchases is carried by pipelines transiting Ukrainian territory.
Based on reporting by Interfax and Reuters