NEWS FLASH: Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko says Ukraine is facing a "growing escalation of violence by terrorists directly supported" by Russia.
MORE FROM KYIV:
Poroshenko, speaking alongside U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, thanks the United States for its support.
Kerry says he is in Kyiv to "bring you the support and goodwill" of the United States and its people, says Ukraine's sovereignty must be respected.
Kerry says tension with Russia over Ukraine is not a "zero-sum game" but is about respect for the rule of law and other principles, says "Russia's continued aggression in the east" is largest threat to Ukraine today.
Kerry says "Russia needs to demonstrate its commitment to ending the bloodshed" in Ukraine, calls on Russia to "cease this military support for the separatists."
Kerry says Russia must remove troops and heavy equipment from Ukraine and "respect the international border."
RFE/RL's News Desk wraps up Kerry's comments:
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry demanded on February 5 that Russia "demonstrate its commitment to ending the bloodshed" in Ukraine, saying Moscow must abandon its support for separatists, remove its troops and weapons from Ukrainian territory, and press the rebels to abide by cease-fire commitments.
Firmly placing the onus on Moscow to end a war that has killed more than 5,350 people since April, Kerry said in Kyiv that Washington wants a peaceful solution but "cannot close our eyes to Russian tanks crossing the border" into Ukraine.
Kerry said: "Russia's continued aggression in the east" is the gravest threat facing Ukraine today.
Kerry spoke alongside Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko after talks in the capital as the leaders of France and Germany headed there as part of a push for peace following a bloody escalation of fighting.
Kerry called for a cease-fire, the withdrawal of heavy weapons from separation lines set in a tattered September peace plan, and said Moscow must "respect the international border" between Russia and Ukraine.
He said this was the only way to stop the conflict and end Russia's "international isolation."
Here's video of Kerry saying that Russia must "demonstrate its commitment to ending the bloodshed" in Ukraine. Speaking alongside Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko in Kyiv, Kerry said Moscow must abandon its support for separatists, remove its troops and weapons from Ukrainian territory, and press the rebels to abide by cease-fire commitments.