From RFE/RL's News Desk:
The leaders of the G7 say the fresh cease-fire agreement for eastern Ukraine offers a peaceful resolution to the crisis and threatened to take action if it is violated.
In a joint statement issued on February 13 by the French presidency, the G7 leaders -- from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States -- said they remained concerned about the situation in eastern Ukraine and in particular about fighting around the town of Debaltseve ahead of the February 15 cease-fire.
"All parties should refrain from actions in the coming days that would hinder the start of the cease-fire," the statement said.
That concludes our live-blogging of the Ukraine crisis for today. Check back on Saturday morning for more of our continuing coverage.
Good morning. We'll start the Ukraine live blog today with this item from RFE/RL's news desk on how the second Minsk peace deal seems to be panning out:
The United States has accused Russia and pro-Russian rebels of violating "the spirit" of a fresh peace deal for eastern Ukraine.
State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Russia had deployed an air defense system at Debaltseve, along with "a large amount of artillery and multiple rocket launcher systems."
She added that Washington had intelligence that Russia is preparing to send a large shipment of supplies to the rebels.
Ahead of a cease-fire on February 15, rebels have stepped up attacks on Ukrainian forces in Debaltseve, a town midway between the rebel strongholds of Donetsk and Luhansk.
The violence has dimmed hopes for the peace accord sealed on February 12 in Minsk by the leaders of Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France.
Countries from the Group of Seven (G7) industrialized nations said they were ready to take "appropriate measures" against those who violate the agreement, an apparent threat of more economic sanctions against Russia.
(AP, dpa)