LONDON, March 17 — Ukraine and Russia are taking peace talks seriously but a very big gap remains between the two sides, Western officials said today.

"Both sides are taking them seriously but there is a very, very big gap between the positions in question,” one official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"Those ... who saw (Russian) President (Vladimir) Putin addressing the nation yesterday would be forgiven for thinking that Russia was not in compromising mood,” another official said. — Reuters