A major breakthrough is unlikely, but whatever happens, the summit is the biggest test yet for the Ukrainian President, who won the presidency partly on promises to end the war.

Ukraine has imposed a travel ban on Russian males in an effort to “prevent the Russian Federation from forming private armies” on Ukrainian soil.

The Ukrainian president has urged NATO to deploy naval ships to the Sea of Azov amid a standoff with Russia, a statement sharply criticized by the Kremlin as a provocation aimed at further inflaming tensions.

Putin's speech comes as the Russian military is boosting the defense of the occupied Crimean peninsula

Russia said on Wednesday it still expects a meeting between President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump to go ahead as planned.

After Russia opened fire on and seized three Ukrainian naval vessels on Sunday near Russian-annexed Crimea, both Russia and Ukraine are trying to cast the other side as being in the wrong.

The Kremlin has warned that the martial law that will go into effect in parts of Ukraine on Wednesday might trigger renewed hostilities in the separatist-held east.

International monitors are back on patrol in eastern Ukraine, just days after an observer was killed by a suspected landmine.

The Liberal government is extending Canada's military mission in Ukraine for another two years.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg is urging Western allies to maintain diplomatic pressure and sanctions on Russia until it respects the peace agreement in Ukraine.