More from Poroshenko's press conference:
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko says he will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and French President Francois Hollande on January 15 to discuss peace efforts between Kyiv and Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine.
The meeting will take place in Kazakhstan's capital, Astana, Poroshenko told a news conference in Kyiv on December 29.
Poroshenko and Putin have held several conversations with Merkel and Hollande as part of efforts to end the conflict in eastern Ukraine, where more than 4,700 combatants and civilians have been killed since April.
Fighting has continued despite a September 5 agreement on a cease-fire and steps toward peace.
The latest peace talks, held in December 24 in Minsk, ended without a breakthrough, and a follow-up meeting expected on DEcember 26 was not held.
From RFE/RL's News Desk:
President Petro Poroshenko has signed a law abandoning Ukraine's neutral "nonbloc" status, says Ukranians will decide whether to seek to join NATO once the country meets the alliance's standards.
Just in from our News Desk:
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko says he will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin and the leaders of Germany and France on January 15 in the Kazakh capital, Astana.