Russia has now admitted more of its troops have been deployed to the border with Ukraine.

A spokesman for the Kremlin says it's a precaution against instability spilling over into its own territory.

Ukraine's authorities have called a 'truce' with pro-Russian gangs - who are still refusing to leave the state buildings they have occupied in the east of the country - for Easter.

Yesterday, Western leaders reacted cautiously to the agreement reached last night with Russia over a plan to ease tensions in Ukraine.

US President Barack Obama has warned the West stood ready to impose further sanctions on Russia if no progress was made in de-escalating the continuing crisis. He was speaking following an apparent breakthrough at emergency talks in Geneva earlier this week attended by the US, Russia, the European Union and Ukraine.