Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov called on Ukraine to distance itself from what he called "extremists" in the east and pursue a course towards peace. He said "tangible progress" had been achieved in implementing measures agreed in Minsk this month and that the ceasefire was being "consolidated".
British military personnel will be deployed to Ukraine in the coming weeks to provide advice and training to government forces in the country, the Prime Minister has revealed.
The announcement came as David Cameron gave evidence to the Commons Liaison Committee on the UK's assistance in the ongoing situation between Ukraine and Russia.
He said the UK had still not reached the stage of providing lethal support, an array of non-lethal assistance had been sent.
Thousands of Russians are marching in Moscow to mark the first anniversary of what they viewed as a "coup" in neighbouring Ukraine.
14 soldiers died and many more were injured as Ukraine left the strategically important hub of Debaltseve.
Dramatic footage shows the moment a TV crew were forced to flee a huge explosion after a gas pipeline was hit by mortar fire in Ukraine.