US President Barack Obama agreed to hold off a controversial decision on sending arms to Ukraine until German-led efforts to broker a ceasefire with Russia are given a chance.
Kazakhstani enterprises find themselves under increasing pressure with cheap products being imported from Russia. Some are calling for customs duties on the border between the Kazakhstan and Russia to be reintroduced.
German Chancellor, French President and their Russian host Vladimir Putin talks seen as a desperate bid to avoid an escalation of violence in eastern Ukraine.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande were due in Moscow after getting Kiev's tentative backing for a crunch peace plan.
NATO defence ministers agreed to immediately set up six bases in eastern Europe and establish a spearhead force of 5,000 troops in response to Russian aggression.