Russia to meet interim govt in Ukraine for peace talks

It is being reported that talks are to take place to try to find a peaceful settlement to the crisis in Ukraine.

The Reuters news agency says ministers from Ukraine's interim government will meet with their Russian counterparts.

This morning, shots were fired in a tense standoff between Russian forces and Ukrainian soldiers at an airbase in Crimea.

The US Secretary of State John Kerry has announced a billion dollars worth of loan guarantees and technical assistance for Ukraine.

Earlier, Vladimir Putin said Russia was ready to release another tranche of its $15bn credit line to help stabilise the country's economy.

Global financial markets have rebounded after troops on military exercises in western Russia were ordered to return to base.

The Russian Ambassador to Ireland is discussing the crisis in the Ukraine with the Tánaiste at Government Buildings in Dublin.

Eamon Gilmore summoned Maxim Peshkov to the meeting this afternoon.