Stumbling Blocks
Ceasefire: Both sides seem willing, but wrangling over who pulls back from the frontlines first.
Demarcation line: Rebels won't give up occupancy; Ukraine adamant of regaining 500 sq km of lost land.
Border control: Ukraine sees no solution unless it regains control of 400 km of border with Russia under rebels' grip; Russian flow of arms and troops into Ukraine has not stopped even with OSCE observers monitoring the frontier.
Removing foreign fighters: Ukraine demands removal of any foreign military and troops from its soil – a clear jab at Russia; Moscow has denied sending in any troops or weapons – meaning it cannot officially withdraw anyone. However Russia admitted "volunteer" fighters – even those within the ranks on leave – have joined the rebels.
Status of rebel regions: Moscow is pushing for separatist regions to be given a high degree of autonomy, with elections for regional governors; Kiev argues that the Kremlin just wants to cement the rebels in power and would use them to block the country's pro-Western trajectory.
Prisoner swaps: One area where both nations have made progress through swapping hundreds of prisoners last year. One obstacle: Kiev demands release of pilot Nadia Savchenko – allegedly spirited across the Russian border illegally.
Who signs?: Ukraine desperate to get Russian President's signature on any peace deal – an implicit admittance to Kremlin's role in the conflict; Moscow rejected all such approaches and told Kiev to talk directly to rebels.
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