Russian troops are trying to carve out a buffer zone in Ukraine's northeastern Sumy region, although so far without substantial success, the regional governor said on Tuesday. The Sumy region borders on Russia's Kursk region,

Russia said on Monday it was ready to negotiate directly with Ukraine, but that recognition of its claims over five Ukrainian regions including Crimea were "imperative" to resolving the conflict.

Russia's stance on resolving the conflict in Ukraine remains unchanged, stated Sergey Lavrov in a press interview. According to the Russian Foreign Minister, it is "imperative" that the international community recognizes Crimea and other territories of Ukraine controlled by Russia as Russian.