Here's a rundown of the latest diplomatic dealings over the Minsk accord:
Lavrov Going To Paris For Talks On Minsk Accord Implementation
The Kremlin has confirmed that Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will attend a meeting in Paris on March 3 to discuss the implementation a peace plan for Ukraine under the Minsk accords of February 2015.
The meeting was also expected to be attended by the foreign ministers of France, Germany, and Ukraine.
The Minsk peace accord of February 2015 was intended to put an end to fighting in eastern Ukraine between government forces and Russia-backed separatists.
Kyiv claims Russia is violating the Minsk agreement by sending troops and weapons to back up pro-Russia separatists in the east.
But Ukraine has so far failed in its pledge to enact reforms that would increase autonomy for Ukraine's eastern regions and allow local elections there.
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said on February 23 that infighting among political parties in Ukraine's governing coalition cannot be allowed to prevent Kyiv from carrying out its reform obligations under the Minsk accords.
Based on reporting by Reuters, TASS, and Interfax
Here's a Savchenko update from our news desk:
Russian Prosecutor Calls For 23-Year Sentence Against Savchenko
Russia's prosecutor has called for a 23-year prison term for Ukrainian pilot Nadia Savchenko, who has been accused by Russian authorities of involvement in the deaths of two Russian journalists in eastern Ukraine.
The call came as closing arguments in the trial began on March 2. A verdict is expected soon after closing arguments are completed.
Savchenko was fighting in a volunteer battalion against Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine when she was captured in June 2014.
She has accused the separatists of kidnapping her and taking her into Russia where she was jailed and charged.
Kyiv says the charges against her are trumped up and that she should be treated as a prisoner of war.
Savchenko has been refusing food while on trial in Russia and has threatened to go on full hunger strike – including a refusal to drink -- unless she is returned to Ukraine within 10 days of the verdict.