Good morning. We'll start the live blog today with this update from our news desk:
Talks aimed at ensuring a stable cease-fire between Ukrainian government forces and pro-Russian separatists have ended after more than five hours.
There was no indication of progress or when the next round of negotiations might take place.
The peace talks in Minsk brought together representatives of Ukraine, Russia, the rebels, and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
Fighting in eastern Ukraine has killed more than 4,700 people since April.
The United Nations says more than 1,300 people have been killed there since talks in Minsk produced an often violated cease-fire agreement on September 5.
On December 23, Ukraine's parliament voted to abandon the country's neutral "non-bloc" status and set a course for NATO membership.
That move was immediately denounced by Russia as "unfriendly."
(AP, AFP)
Due to holiday staffing, the live blog is closing early today.
Read the latest Ukraine Unspun post by Glenn Kates.