Pro russian separatists
Putin defends 'lawful' seizure of Ukrainian ships
In his first extensive remarks since the confrontation at sea on Sunday, Putin said it had been orchestrated by Kiev as a "provocation".
The compromise reached at an EU summit maintains EU unity on sanctions against Moscow.
Violence in eastern Ukraine is at by far its worst since a ceasefire was agreed last September.
Separatist leaders accused Petro Poroshenko of suspending a law giving their regions “special status”.
Sergei Lavrov said the pending vote would be important from the point of view of legitimising power.
The Ukrainian military’s press centre listed overnight rebel violations of the ceasefire accord in five sites.
The Russian President said he believed Kiev and pro-Russian separatists could come to an agreement.
Kiev's military said the troops are using aid shipments to smuggle in arms and other supplies.
Kiev accused Russian troops of illegally entering eastern Ukraine and says it will fight to defend its soil.
A pro-govt militia fighter says separatists backed by Russian soldiers have entered the town of Novoazovsk.
In footage posted on Facebook, the men were shown dressed in camouflage fatigues.
It is being reported that around 50 armoured vehicles crossed the border from Russia.
Russia says all objections to it sending a humanitarian convoy to Ukraine have been resolved.
Ukraine said its artillery destroyed part of a Russian armoured column that entered its territory.
Pro-Russian separatists said on Saturday they were ready for a ceasefire with the Kiev government.
The Netherlands said it was halting the recovery mission because of continued fighting in the region.
An import ban on food comes after Vladimir Putin ordered retaliation for Western sanctions against Moscow.
Fighting has intensified since the shooting down of a Malaysian airliner last month.
The government kept up military pressure against pro-Russian rebels on Tuesday.