Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has suggested holding a referendum on the future status of eastern Ukraine as well as the Crimea peninsula as a way to restore the stalled peace efforts and end hostilities with Russia.

The Russian foreign minister has warned that a "nightmare scenario" of military confrontation is returning to Europe as tensions spike over Ukraine.

The NATO chief says the military alliance intends to prevent conflict with Russia over the crisis-hit Ukraine.

The Russian president says he wants guarantees from Washington and its allies that NATO will not expand further eastward.

Russia accuses Ukraine of trying to create a “provocative situation” aimed at dragging Moscow into a conflict in Donbass.

As Russia and Ukraine edge closer to war the UK has signaled its intention to get more deeply involved by hosting the commander of the Ukrainian armed forces in London.

Russia stresses that the crisis in Ukraine should be resolved peacefully, as the United States and other NATO countries deploy military personnel and equipment to the country.

Russian and US diplomats hold emergency talks over the situation in the eastern Ukrainian region of the Donbass.

Russia does not pose any threat to Ukraine, but shows great consideration for its own security, the Kremlin spokesman says.

Senior Russian senator slams Europe’s silence on the recent drone attack in Donbass as a green light to more military operations by Kiev.