Coveney: EU sanctions to go ahead despite planned Ukraine-Russia meeting 

People attend a demonstration outside Leinster House in Dublin (Brian Lawless/PA)

Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney has said he hopes the world is seeing the “first step” towards the ending of war, ahead of talks between Ukrainian and Russian officials.

However,  Mr Coveney also said the meeting will not be enough to deter the EU from imposing fresh sanctions.