A UN-backed ceasefire is showing signs of finally taking hold in Ukraine, even as the US accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of destabilising the country through land grabs.
Wednesday was the first day since the truce took effect 10 days ago that no deaths were reported on the front, but the relative peace was met by fresh diplomatic sparring between Washington and Moscow.
Addressing US legislators, Secretary of State John Kerry said Russia and pro-Moscow rebels had failed to meet the terms of the ceasefire.
Putin had put in place policies that 'violate all the international norms with respect to territory and behaviour', Kerry told the House foreign affairs committee.
'He has empowered, encouraged, and facilitated directly land grabs in order to try to destabilise Ukraine itself.
'To date, neither Russia nor the forces it is supporting have come close to complying with their commitments,' he said on Wednesday, renewing warnings that Moscow would face further sanctions.
Top US officials have lashed Putin and his ministers in recent days, with Kerry on Tuesday directly accusing Russian leaders of lying 'to my face' over the conflict.
Washington has repeatedly rejected Moscow's denials about giving military backing to the separatists in east Ukraine.
Russia has in turn warned it could cut off gas supplies to Ukraine within days - and, by extension, to parts of the European Union.
National Security Advisor Susan Rice echoed Kerry's concerns in an interview with PBS television.
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Ukraine ceasefire takes hold