Ukrainian Journalist Freed in Prisoner Swap
Freelance journalist Maria Varfolomeyeva has been released by separatists in eastern Ukraine after being detained for more than a year. (RFE/RL's Current Time TV)
Ukraine Accuses Separatists Of Using Grad Missile Launchers
Kyiv has accused separatists of using large-caliber weapons despite a cease-fire in eastern Ukraine that required both sides to pull back those arms.
Ukraine’s military released footage on March 3 purportedly showing Russia-backed fighters firing Grad multiple-rocket launchers against government army positions outside the separatist stronghold of Donetsk.
It said the Grad attack came along with more than 60 cease-fire violations along the front line.
Meanwhile, the separatists accused government forces of shelling Donetsk suburbs, killing one fighter, burning down a house, and damaging others.
The accusations came as the foreign ministers of Russia, Ukraine, France, and Germany prepared to meet in Paris on March 3 to discuss implementation of the peace plan for Ukraine set up under the Minsk accords in February 2015.
Based on reporting by AFP and AP
Some new comments from German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier as he and his colleagues from Russia, Ukraine, and France meet in Paris:
Ahead of the March 3 talks, Steinmeier sance and Germany expect "real progress" from Ukraine and Russia on resolving the conflict between government forces and Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine.
"We will say very clearly ... we must really advance, first in consolidating the cease-fire and secondly in restarting the political process," Steinmeier said.
Some new comments from German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier as he and his colleagues from Russia, Ukraine, and France meet in Paris:
Ahead of the March 3 talks, Steinmeier said France and Germany expect "real progress" from Ukraine and Russia on resolving the conflict between government forces and Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine.
"We will say very clearly ... we must really advance, first in consolidating the cease-fire and secondly in restarting the political process," Steinmeier said.