There are hopes of a breakthrough in the Ukraine crisis today as the US and Russia begin high level talks.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State John Kerry are meeting in Paris today, to discuss the situation. Kerry and Lavrov spoke on the phone yesterday – initiated by the American, according to the Russian foreign ministry – and following that call Kerry made the decision, during a refuelling stop in Ireland, to cancel plans to return to the US from Saudi Arabia, and instead remain in Europe.

The talks follow Friday's phone conversation about the issue between President Vladimir Putin and President Barack Obama.

Russia has now pledged not to invade mainland Ukraine after recently seizing Crimea.