From RFE/RL's News Desk:
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has named former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili to be one of his advisers.
A decree posted on the Ukrainian president's website on February 13 said Saakashvili would be on the newly created Consultative International Council of Reforms and that the former Georgian president's main task would be making proposals and recommendations for conducting referendums.
The statement said the board would try to attract other international experts to help reform Ukraine's legislation and help raise the level of international support for the country.
Poroshenko said Saakashvili would be a representative abroad for Ukraine and simultaneously be a representative for the international community inside Ukraine.
News flashes from AFP and Reuters on the situation in Ukraine:
-- G7 LEADERS' STATEMENT, ISSUED BY FRENCH PRESIDENCY, SAYS MINSK ACCORD "OFFERS WAY FORWARD TO COMPREHENSIVE, SUSTAINABLE AND PEACEFUL" RESOLUTION OF UKRAINE CRISIS
-- G7 SAYS STANDS READY TO ADOPT "APPROPRIATE MEASURES" AGAINST THOSE WHO VIOLATE MINSK AGREEMENT ON UKRAINE
-- G7 LEADERS' STATEMENT SAYS ALL PARTIES SHOULD REFRAIN FROM ACTIONS IN COMING DAYS THAT WOULD HINDER START OF FEB. 15 CEASEFIRE IN UKRAINE
-- G7 calls for Ukraine deal to be implemented 'without delay'
-- Rebel bombardment of civilians is an attack on Minsk peace deal: Ukraine president
-- Russia "significantly increased' offensive against Ukraine: Poroshenko
From RFE/RL's News Desk:
The leaders of the G7 say the fresh cease-fire agreement for eastern Ukraine offers a peaceful resolution to the crisis and threatened to take action if it is violated.
In a joint statement issued on February 13 by the French presidency, the G7 leaders -- from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States -- said they remained concerned about the situation in eastern Ukraine and in particular about fighting around the town of Debaltseve ahead of the February 15 cease-fire.
"All parties should refrain from actions in the coming days that would hinder the start of the cease-fire," the statement said.
That concludes our live-blogging of the Ukraine crisis for today. Check back on Saturday morning for more of our continuing coverage.
Good morning. We'll start the Ukraine live blog today with this item from RFE/RL's news desk on how the second Minsk peace deal seems to be panning out:
The United States has accused Russia and pro-Russian rebels of violating "the spirit" of a fresh peace deal for eastern Ukraine.
State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Russia had deployed an air defense system at Debaltseve, along with "a large amount of artillery and multiple rocket launcher systems."
She added that Washington had intelligence that Russia is preparing to send a large shipment of supplies to the rebels.
Ahead of a cease-fire on February 15, rebels have stepped up attacks on Ukrainian forces in Debaltseve, a town midway between the rebel strongholds of Donetsk and Luhansk.
The violence has dimmed hopes for the peace accord sealed on February 12 in Minsk by the leaders of Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France.
Countries from the Group of Seven (G7) industrialized nations said they were ready to take "appropriate measures" against those who violate the agreement, an apparent threat of more economic sanctions against Russia.
(AP, dpa)