That concludes our live-blogging of the Ukraine crisis for Tuesday, March 17. Thanks for reading. Check back here Wednesday morning (Prague time) for more of our ongoing coverage.
Russia says fresh Ukraine gas talks planned Friday with EU
Moscow, March 17, 2015 (AFP) -- Russia will hold a fresh round of EU-mediated gas talks with Ukraine in Brussels on Friday, Moscow's energy ministry and the EU said, as the clock ticks down on the current deal.
"Trilateral negotiations will take place on 20 March in Brussels in the Russia-Ukraine-EU format with the participation of Energy Minister Alexander Novak," the ministry said in a statement.
European Commission spokeswoman Anna-Kaisa Itkonen later tweeted: "Confirmed: EU-Russia-Ukraine trilateral gas talks take place in Brussels Friday 20 March."
The talks will come on the same day as a summit of EU leaders in Brussels.
Russia agreed with Ukraine earlier this month to continue supplying it with gas until the end of March, after a pay dispute that threatened to disrupt vital deliveries to Europe.
The disagreement was the latest stage in a lengthy saga between the two foes over gas supplies that Ukraine says is Russia's revenge for its pivot towards the West since the ousting of Kremlin-backed leader Viktor Yanukovych last year.
The EU receives about a third of its gas from Russia with half that amount transiting via Ukraine pipelines.
Russia Deploying Strategic Bombers To Crimea, Missiles To Kaliningrad
Russia's military has announced it was sending strategic bombers to the annexed Ukrainian territory of Crimea and will deploy advanced missiles to its exclave of Kaliningrad.
Russian news agencies TASS and Interfax cited defense officials March 17 confirming Tu-95 and Tu-22M3 strategic bombers, capable of carrying nuclear bombs, were being sent to Crimea as part of military exercises taking place around Russia.
The officials also said Iskander missiles would be sent to the Kaliningrad region, which borders NATO members Poland and Lithuania, as part of the military maneuvers.
Iskander missiles have a range of some 500 kilometers and can be equipped with conventional or nuclear warheads.
Polish Prime Minister Ewa Kopacz said, "Russia is making this gesture before the European Council meeting. It is trying to influence European Council decisions concerning extending or adding new sanctions."
Based on reporting by AP, Reuters, TASS, and Interfax
Ukrainian Parliament Approves Bill On Special Status For Rebel East
Ukrainian lawmakers have approved a draft law to grant special status to the rebel-held areas in the country’s east.
The Verkhovna Rada approved the bill on March 17.
The text of the bill outlines the boundaries of particular districts in the areas under pro-Russian separatist control that could be granted special status with limited self-rule.
That was a key part of the cease-fire deal reached in Minsk last month.
The bill also says rebel-held areas in Donetsk and Luhansk regions will be granted their special status after holding elections in accordance with Ukrainian law and under international observation.
Russia and the rebels sharply criticized the bill on March 16.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry said the proposals on special status put before Ukrainian deputies included "additional terms never previously discussed."
Denis Pushilin, a separatist leader in Donetsk region, described the bill as “a crude violation” of the Minsk deal.