15:29
12.5.2014
15:21
12.5.2014
From our news desk:
Diplomats say the European Union has agreed to impose sanctions against 13 additional individuals and two companies over the Ukraine crisis.
It is reportedly the first time the EU has targeted companies.
EU foreign ministers agreed to the sanctions at a meeting in Brussels on May 12.
Diplomats said the two Crimean companies that will be subject to sanctions were nationalized by Russia after it annexed the Crimean Peninsula.
The 13 Russians and Crimeans bring to a total of 61 the number of individuals who will face EU travel bans and asset freezes over the Ukraine crisis.
The EU action comes a day after pro-Moscow rebels held a referendum on self-rule in parts of eastern Ukraine on May 11.
The EU declared the referendum illegal and said it would not recognize its outcome. (AFP, AP and dpa)
It is reportedly the first time the EU has targeted companies.
EU foreign ministers agreed to the sanctions at a meeting in Brussels on May 12.
Diplomats said the two Crimean companies that will be subject to sanctions were nationalized by Russia after it annexed the Crimean Peninsula.
The 13 Russians and Crimeans bring to a total of 61 the number of individuals who will face EU travel bans and asset freezes over the Ukraine crisis.
The EU action comes a day after pro-Moscow rebels held a referendum on self-rule in parts of eastern Ukraine on May 11.
The EU declared the referendum illegal and said it would not recognize its outcome. (AFP, AP and dpa)
15:05
12.5.2014
Reports that a Russian journalist with "Novaya gazeta" has been released in eastern Ukraine:
14:51
12.5.2014
Following the abduction of a journalist from nonstate Russian media today:
14:50
12.5.2014
Ukraine's ousted president, Viktor Yanukovych, weighs in on the separatist votes:
14:48
12.5.2014
14:45
12.5.2014
Paul Goble, on his Window on Eurasia blog, cites a report by Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov saying that Russian President Vladimir Putin "has proposed and imposed are those of a leader preparing for war rather than someone concerned about the needs of the Russian people."
14:30
12.5.2014
Latest, from our news desk:
Pro-Russian separatists in the eastern Ukrainian region of Luhansk say they will not allow voting for the Ukrainian presidential election to be conducted in the province.
Vasyl Mykytyn, a self-styled spokesman for the Army of the Southeast, said in the city of Luhansk on May 12 that since the region is known as the "Luhansk People's Republic" the May 25 Ukrainian presidential election will not be held in the region.
Mykytyn said the Luhansk Regional Council lost its legitimacy after the May 11 vote on self-rule that was held in the region.
Separatist officials have said the referendum vote -- which Ukrainian officials have said was illegal and has no meaning -- was overwhelming in favor of giving indepenence to Luhansk.
Mykytyn said Luhansk separatist officials are going to ask the United Nations for recognition of their "people's republic." (Interfax)
Vasyl Mykytyn, a self-styled spokesman for the Army of the Southeast, said in the city of Luhansk on May 12 that since the region is known as the "Luhansk People's Republic" the May 25 Ukrainian presidential election will not be held in the region.
Mykytyn said the Luhansk Regional Council lost its legitimacy after the May 11 vote on self-rule that was held in the region.
Separatist officials have said the referendum vote -- which Ukrainian officials have said was illegal and has no meaning -- was overwhelming in favor of giving indepenence to Luhansk.
Mykytyn said Luhansk separatist officials are going to ask the United Nations for recognition of their "people's republic." (Interfax)
14:21
12.5.2014
14:16
12.5.2014
Germany's Foreign Minister is going to Kiev Tuesday, and also plans to visit the eastern regions, according to his spokesman today. #Ukraine
— Paul Brennan (@paulrbrennan) May 12, 2014