Kyiv to discuss sanctions against Russian officials involved in Savchenko case:
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko says he has called on the National Security and Defense Council to consider sanctions against Russian officials involved in the prosecution of Ukrainian pilot Nadia Savchenko.
A Russian court has sentenced Savchenko to 22 years in prison for her alleged involvement in the death of two Russian journalists in eastern Ukraine.
After the sentence was pronounced on March 22, Poroshenko said he was ready to exchange the pilot for two Russians who were captured during fighting in eastern Ukraine and whom Kyiv believes are Russian servicemen.
Addressing journalists in the eastern city of Kharkiv on March 23, Poroshenko said the exchange would be possible only after Savchenko's sentence comes fully into force, meaning when the 10-day appeal period expires.
Savchenko said she won't appeal the ruling, and that she did not recognize the Russian court or its right to try her. (UNIAN, Interfax)
Russia Accuses Kyiv Of Ignoring Peace Deal
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has accused Ukraine's government of failing to implement the Minsk cease-fire agreement.
Lavrov, who was hosting German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Moscow on March 23, told journalists that Kyiv's inaction was the main stumbling block to a peace settlement in Ukraine’s east.
The Minsk deal signed in February 2015 has helped reduce the fighting between government forces and Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine, but skirmishes have continued.
Steinmeier urged both sides to comply with the terms of the agreement, warning of a possible escalation.
He also expressed hope a humanitarian solution could be found for Ukrainian military pilot Nadia Savchenko, who was sentenced on March 22 to 22 years in prison in Russia for her alleged involvement in the death of two Russian journalists in eastern Ukraine.
Based on reporting by AP, Reuters, and TASS
Here is today's map of the security situation in eastern Ukraine, according to the National Security and Defense Council (CLICK TO ENLARGE):
