Russia calls for Ukraine ceasefire deal

Russia’s foreign minister has urged those holding a new round of talks on easing Ukraine’s crisis to push for a ceasefire between Ukrainian government troops and pro-Russian separatists.

Foreign minister Sergey Lavrov also said Russia would not intervene militarily in Ukraine, defying reports by the Ukrainian government, Nato and Western nations that Russia has already sent troops, artillery and tanks across Ukraine’s south-east border to reinforce the separatists.