Moscow ( CNN ) -- Russia 's upper house of parliament voted Wednesday to revoke the right of President Vladimir Putin to use troops in Ukraine as efforts continue to calm a separatist uprising in Ukraine 's east . The Federation Council had approved Putin 's request for a resolution allowing the use of force on March 1 . But Tuesday , Putin sent a letter to the speaker of the upper house seeking to cancel the resolution . One lawmaker voted against revoking the powers Wednesday , with 153 in favor . Putin 's request was made in light of ongoing talks on how to settle the crisis in Ukraine 's eastern regions , said presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov . Russia and Ukraine have been engaged in a tense standoff since March when Russia annexed the previously Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea and massed troops along other parts of its border with Ukraine . Ukraine 's new President , Petro Poroshenko , declared a cease-fire last week in Kiev 's fight against pro-Russia separatists in an effort to calm the situation . The violence continued Tuesday when Ukrainian authorities said pro-Russia militants shot down a military helicopter in eastern Ukraine , killing nine . However , peace talks involving representatives from all sides were under way Wednesday in the Ukrainian city of Donetsk , Ukraine 's official Ukrinform news agency said . Those participating included Ukrainian government officials , pro-Russia separatists from the restive eastern Luhansk and Donetsk regions , Russian officials and members of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe . On Wednesday , U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said the United States and Europe plan on additional sanctions against Russia , depending on what choices it makes ahead . Asked if the parliament vote to revoke Putin 's power to use force in Ukraine was sufficient action to delay sanctions , Kerry said that he needed to see more . The parliamentary action is a positive step , Kerry said , but it could be easily reversed . The greatest difference will be made when Putin publicly calls for separatists in Ukraine to lay down their arms , Kerry said . NATO chief : Peace plan a step forward . NATO foreign ministers on Wednesday endorsed a package of support strengthening the ability of Ukraine , which is not a member of the alliance , to defend itself . Agreed to after talks in Belgium with Ukraine 's new foreign minister , Pavlo Klimkin , the package includes `` the creation of new trust funds to support defense capacity building in critical areas such as logistics , command and control , cyber defense and to help retired military personnel to adapt to civilian life , '' according to NATO . `` Ukraine has a clear vision for rebuilding its defense and security sector and a clear strategy for resolving the crisis , '' NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said . Poroshenko 's peace plan is `` a major step forward and we fully support it , '' he added . Rasmussen also called on Russia `` to create conditions for the implementation of the peace plan , to end its support for separatist troops , and to stop the flow of weapons and fighters across its border . '' The meeting comes ahead of a NATO summit in Wales in September `` at a time when security challenges are multiplying beyond our borders , '' Rasmussen said . `` Today we stressed the importance of our collective defense . '' The ministers from the 28 NATO members -- some of whom are former Soviet states whose nerves have been frayed by Russia 's actions against Ukraine -- also agreed to maintain the suspension of practical civilian and military cooperation with Russia . `` There will be no business as usual with Russia until Russia comes back into line with its international obligations , '' Rasmussen said . Coordinated sanctions . Kerry met with Klimkin ahead of Wednesday 's talks . Kerry also met Tuesday evening with EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton and representatives of other world powers , a senior State Department official said . Kerry discussed their joint support for Poroshenko 's peace plan and the importance of preparing additional coordinated sanctions if Putin does not take further steps , the official said . The United States and European Union have already imposed targeted economic sanctions against certain Russians and companies over Russia 's activities in Ukraine . The resolution authorizing Russia to use force in Ukraine was passed three weeks before Russia completed its annexation of Ukraine 's Crimea region , which other world powers condemned . CNN 's Alla Eshchenko reported from Moscow , and Laura Smith-Spark wrote and reported in London . Journalist Victoria Butenko and CNN 's Lindsay Isaac and Talia Kayali contributed to this report .
NATO agrees to a package of support to help Ukraine defend itself . Russia 's Federation Council cancels resolution authorizing use of troops in Ukraine . President Vladimir Putin asked for the step in light of peace talks , his spokesman says . - The U.S. and European Union agree on sanctions against Russia.