EU diplomats have reached a preliminary agreement on a list of associates of Russian President Vladimir Putin and companies that will face sanctions over Moscow's actions in Ukraine, EU sources said.

The U.S. government has accused Russia of violating the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces treaty and has urged immediate bilateral talks on the issue.

The Ukrainian Culture Ministry has banned the distribution of two Russian films, accusing the movies of displaying "contempt" toward Ukraine and distorting historical facts in favor of Russia.

The majority of Russians think that the Ukraine crisis was caused by Western "interference" and believe that their country should continue supporting pro-Moscow separatists, a poll showed.

Russian bank and company bonds denominated in dollars and euros have slumped in value in the past few days in anticipation of tough European Union sanctions.

Russian citizens riddle the leadership ranks of the separatists, drowning out local issues.

Amid international tension over the conflict in Ukraine, voices in the West are clamoring for Russia to lose the right to host the 2018 World Cup. While this is realistically highly unlikely, a boycott of the tournament by European nations would certainly be welcome news for some of the other teams, who might have a better chance of bringing home the elusive trophy.

The Communist Party of Ukraine will cease to exist on Thursday, the speaker of Ukraine's parliament announced.

Russia should be stripped of the right to host the 2018 soccer World Cup unless Russian President Vladimir Putin stops destabilizing Ukraine, Britain's Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has said.

Amid international indignation at Russia over the crisis in Ukraine, the English Football Association said that it would  be premature to strip Russia of the right to host the 2018 World Cup.