Tensions between Russia and Ukraine continue to escalate. Russian diplomats are leaving Ukraine. The news comes after Moscow announced it was sending what it called "peacekeepers" into two breakaway regions of eastern Ukraine. That sparked a wave of new sanctions from the West and its allies. An EU diplomat was quoted as saying that a first, limited round of European Union sanctions will take effect on Wednesday. They will blacklist more politicians and ban trade between the EU and the two separatist regions.

Moscow has shrugged off the sanctions. Meanwhile, in a video message marking a public holiday in Russia, President Vladimir Putin spoke of diplomacy.