Kerry to Russia: Disarm Ukraine Rebels in 'Hours'

Russia needs to diffuse the situation in Ukraine—immediately, John Kerry urged today. "It is critical for Russia to show in the next hours, literally, that they're moving to help disarm the separatists, to encourage them to disarm, to call on them to lay down their weapons and to begin to become part of a legitimate process," Kerry said, per Reuters, after meeting with France's foreign minister. He noted that, if needed, EU leaders could discuss possible sanctions against Russia at a summit in Belgium beginning today. A shaky ceasefire between Ukraine's government and pro-Russian rebels is expected to end tomorrow, the BBC adds. (More Ukraine stories.)