We'll conclude today's live blogging with the latest Power Vertical with Brian Whitmore, on how Ukraine coming to terms with its past is turning out harder than toppling a monument.
Podcast: Goodbye, Lenin
Putin used the Armenian commemoration ceremony today to try to score political points over Ukraine with thinly veiled accusations seemingly aimed at Kyiv, saying "many regions of the world see the rise of neofascism" and citing "radical nationalists...fighting for power."
Ukraine's president says his country "must ensure the creation of mobile forces to protect the state. U.S. Army shares its experiences and is positive."
Russian deputy PM weighs in on Mistral debate.
From our newsroom:
Putin, Hollande Discuss Ukraine On Sidelines Of Yerevan Ceremonies
Russian President Vladimir Putin has met with his French counterpart, Francois Hollande, on the sidelines of ceremonies in Yerevan commemorating the 100th anniversary of the massacre of up to 1.5 million Armenians in the Ottoman Empire.
The talks between Putin and Hollande centered on the conflict in Ukraine as well as France's frozen $1.3 billion deal to sell two Mistral-class warships to Russia.
Interfax quotes Hollande as saying the best way to restore Russian-European relations is by implementing the Minsk agreements -- a reference to the European-brokered cease-fire agreement between Ukraine and pro-Russian rebels in February.
Earlier this week, Hollande said France would refund Russian payments for the Mistral warships if they are not delivered because of Moscow's involvement in Ukraine's conflict.
France postponed delivery of the first warship to Moscow last year in response to Russia's illegal annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula and the Kremlin's support for pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine.