the prospect, the possibility to resolve the issue diplomatically.

"We've been very clear about the fact that there is not going to be a military solution to the problem in Ukraine."

However, he warned, if Russia did not play its part, there would be "consequences and we will ramp up further sanctions".

Russia expects that the Geneva agreement will be implemented in practical steps, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was quoted as saying this morning.

"Russia expects that the Geneva accords will be implemented in practical actions in the near future," Russian news agencies quoted him as saying.

However, Mr Lavrov also accused the US and the European Union of being behind a popular uprising that ousted Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych in Ukraine in February.

"In Ukraine, the United States and the European Union triedto stage - let's call things what they are - another 'colour revolution', an operation to unconstitutionally change regime," Interfax quoted him as saying.

Meanwhile, US reporter Simon Ostrovsky who was being held by militants in eastern Ukraine has been released.

The US State Department said it was "deeply concerned" yesterday over reports that the journalist was kidnapped by pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine.

Pro-Moscow insurgents in Slaviansk held Mr Ostrovsky who was working for Vice News, as well as a Ukrainian journalist working for a pro-Kiev outlet, Irma Krat.

There is no word on whether Ms Krat was freed.

Mr Ostrovsky said by telephone that he was fine, although he had been beaten after being grabbed late on Monday in Slaviansk and was initially kept tied up and blindfolded.

"After a day-and-a-half they took