Ukraine Deal: NATO leaders are scheduled to meet today in Wales to discuss a variety of issues, including the Ukraine crisis and possibly to establish a quick-reaction force to defend members in Eastern Europe. They are becoming increasingly irritated by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Russian President Vladimir Putin outlined a seven-step process to end the fighting in Ukraine that calls for a pullback of Ukrainian artillery, the end of air strikes, exchange of prisoners, and rebuilding of damaged roads, bridges, and power lines.

Amid some early confusion yesterday about whether Russia had negotiated an actual ceasefire, the Kremlin spokesman said, “Russia cannot physically agree on a cease-fire, as it is not a side in the conflict.” This despite the presence of Russian troops in Ukraine, Russian deaths, and Russian prisoners.

French Toast: France is delaying delivery of the first of two Navy assault ships built for Russia, saying it’s not the right time to hand it over. No kidding. The ships in question, the Mistral Class, carry 16 helicopters, up to 70 vehicles including tanks, and 450 soldiers. But France could have to repay Russia a billion Euro for failure to deliver.

ISIS:President Obama speaking in Estonia yesterday vowed to get the ISIS militants who beheaded two American journalists. He said America is not intimidated by acts of barbarism “And those who make the mistake of harming Americans will learn that we will not forget, and that our reach is long and that justice will be served.”

The Vows: After a string of victories by same-sex marriage advocates,

a federal judge in Louisiana upheld that state’s ban.

Make it Anywhere: Organizers of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade announced they will allow gay participants to march under their own banner for the first time next yesr. The parade previously allowed gay marchers, but no banners to identify themselves.

Knock, Knock: The Michigan man who killed a teenage girl who came to his door looking for help after a car accident has been sentenced to 17 to 32 years in prison. Theodore Wafer, 55, shot Renisha McBride in the face. The defense argued that it was an accident, but the victim’s sister said, “Never once had I heard Mr. Wafer send his condolences…. I find it very hard to believe that his actions were an accident.”

Bloomberg News News: Former New York mayor and billionaire Michael Bloomberg is returning to run the financial news company that made him rich. Bloomberg said he was more excited about going back to the company than he was about giving away his $38 billion fortune as he had planned when he left politics.

Ink: Katharine Weymouth, the last in the line of the Graham family to run the Washington Post, is leaving her position as publisher. After owning the Post for 80 years, the Grahams sold last year to Amazon.Com founder Jeff Bezos. Frederick J. Ryan, a founder of Politico, takes over as publisher. It will be interesting to see how the digital guys do in the analog business of newspapers.

The Obit Page: Andrew Madoff, the only surviving son of pyramid scammer Bernie Madoff, has died at age 48 of Lymphoma. Andrew’s brother Mark committed suicide in 2010. The Madoff brothers worked on the legitimate side of the business and turned in their father to authorities. Andrew never spoke to his father again saying, “He’s already dead to me.”

Just Ask: A new study says nearly half the young women in Great Britain don’t know where their vagina is on their body. We don’t know if this is just a matter of medical terminology vs. slang, but young women who are lost can ask any young man and he’ll be glad to give exact directions.

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