Here's more on the EU's statement on Ukraine from our news desk:
The European Union has said it will stick to its policy of not recognizing Russia's annexation of Crimea and expressed concern over what it said was a military buildup on the peninsula.
EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said in a March 16 statement that the 28-member bloc "remains firmly committed to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity."
Mogherini's statement came on the anniversary of a March 16 referendum that Russia used as the main justification for its annexation of Crimea, which has been denounced as illegal by Kyiv, the EU, the United States, and many other nations.
"The European Union does not recognize and continues to condemn this act of violation of international law," Mogherini said.
She said the EU "will remain committed to fully implement its nonrecognition policy, including through restrictive measures."
"The EU reaffirms its deep concern at the continuous military buildup and deterioration of the human rights situation in the Crimean peninsula, including the denial of free speech and the persecution of persons belonging to minorities," she said.
(With reporting by Reuters)
There's been much speculation in both Russia and Ukraine in recent days about the whereabouts of Vladimir Putin. As you probably know by now, he has resurfaced in Saint Petersburg. Here's an item from our news desk:
Putin met with Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambaev on March 16 at the Constantine Palace outside St. Petersburg.Russian President Vladimir Putin has appeared in public for the first time since March 5.
Referring to rampant speculation about his health and whereabouts during his unusually long absence from the public eye, Putin said: "It would be boring without gossip."
Atambaev reportedly said that Putin is "in excellent form" and that the president drove him around the palace grounds.
The two shook hands at the start of their meeting.
In addition to speculation about the health of Putin, 62, his absence fueled rumors of deepening rifts in Russia's secretive political and security circles following the killing of opposition politician Boris Nemtsov near the Kremlin on February 27.