Russia, Ukraine, France And Germany To Hold Talks On Ukraine, Exclude The U.S.

BREAKING: Russia, Ukraine, France, and Germany to hold talks on eastern Ukraine, without US

"Normandy format" talks without the United States are planned for Tuesday between political advisers from Russia, Ukraine, Germany, and France on the subject of the eastern Ukraine, a source in Russian President Vladimir Putin's administration said Saturday, according to Reuters.

The world is on edge as aggression mounts in the region. The four-way peace talks planned this

 week come during elevated tensions between Russia and the Western nations over Ukraine

 and are seeking a solution to the longrunning conflict between Ukrainian government forces

 and pro-Russian separatists.

Ukraine chief negotiator Andriy Yermak's adviser Mykhailo Podolyak had confirmed that

 a meeting in Paris was planned but told Reuters that a preliminary date had been set for

 Jan. 26 before the Jan. 25 meeting date was decided

According to Reuters, "Western countries are concerned by a Russia military build-up on the 

border and have warned of severe economic consequences if it invades its neighbour. Russia

 denies it plans to invade Ukraine but is demanding legally binding security guarantees from

 the United States and NATO."