18:40
19.6.2014
Let's get the facts straight about #EU-#Ukraine | FAQs: http://t.co/Q02VMLZxVo
— EU External Action (@eu_eeas) June 19, 2014
17:31
19.6.2014
Sergei Ivanov uses the word "genocide" re E.Ukraine. Allegation of genocide was pretext for intervention in S.Ossetia http://t.co/4lK46uhU5d
— Oliver Bullough (@OliverBullough) June 19, 2014
16:29
19.6.2014
BREAKING: Ukraine's new pro-Western President Petro Poroshenko says he will sign a key trade and economic relations portion of a crucial EU pact in Brussels on June 27.
Ukraine's previous Kremlin-backed leadership's rejection of the EU Association Agreement in November triggered months of deadly protests that led to the February ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych.
Poroshenko made the announcement on June 19, while introducing the new foreign minister, Pavlo Klimkin, to the ministry staff.
Ukraine's previous Kremlin-backed leadership's rejection of the EU Association Agreement in November triggered months of deadly protests that led to the February ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych.
Poroshenko made the announcement on June 19, while introducing the new foreign minister, Pavlo Klimkin, to the ministry staff.
16:27
19.6.2014
15:07
19.6.2014
14:23
19.6.2014
Here's a wrap up from our news desk on Poroshenko's key appointments:
Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko has received parliamentary backing for his nominations to several key posts in his new team.
The parliament on June 19 endorsed Poroshenko's nominations for foreign minister, central bank chief, and prosecutor-general, with each of the candidates winning more than two-thirds of parliament's votes.
Pavlo Klimkin, until now ambassador to Germany, was approved as foreign minister.
Klimkin, 46, has played a key role in negotiating the association and free-trade agreements with the European Union, which Ukraine is expected to sign later this month.
Klimkin is currently Poroshenko's representative in OSCE-mediated negotiations with Russia that were launched in Kyiv.
Russia's RIA state news agency quoted the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin as saying "we wish the new minister success and are ready for contact with him."
Valeriya Hontareva, an investment banker who has worked in international financial institutions for nearly two decades, is the new head of the central bank.
Vitaliy Yarema, currently first deputy prime minister, becomes prosecutor-general.
Presenting Yarema's nomination, Poroshenko said he would a key figure in the fight against corruption in the country.
Poroshenko still has to announce his nominations for defense minister and the head of the SBU state security service -- two other key posts as government forces clash with pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine.
The parliament on June 19 endorsed Poroshenko's nominations for foreign minister, central bank chief, and prosecutor-general, with each of the candidates winning more than two-thirds of parliament's votes.
Pavlo Klimkin, until now ambassador to Germany, was approved as foreign minister.
Klimkin, 46, has played a key role in negotiating the association and free-trade agreements with the European Union, which Ukraine is expected to sign later this month.
Klimkin is currently Poroshenko's representative in OSCE-mediated negotiations with Russia that were launched in Kyiv.
Russia's RIA state news agency quoted the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin as saying "we wish the new minister success and are ready for contact with him."
Valeriya Hontareva, an investment banker who has worked in international financial institutions for nearly two decades, is the new head of the central bank.
Vitaliy Yarema, currently first deputy prime minister, becomes prosecutor-general.
Presenting Yarema's nomination, Poroshenko said he would a key figure in the fight against corruption in the country.
Poroshenko still has to announce his nominations for defense minister and the head of the SBU state security service -- two other key posts as government forces clash with pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine.
13:41
19.6.2014
13:22
19.6.2014
13:18
19.6.2014
"At least a few thousand more Russian troops" in buildup on border with Ukraine, says NATO's secretary-general, via Reuters:
NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said on Thursday that at least a few thousand more Russian troops were now at Ukraine's eastern border, a build-up he called a regrettable step backwards.
"We now see a new Russian military build-up around the Ukrainian border. At least a few thousand more Russian troops are now deployed," Rasmussen said in London.
"I consider this a very regrettable step backwards. It seems Russia keeps the option open to intervene further in Ukraine," he said. "The international community would have to respond in a firm manner if Russia were to intervene further in Ukraine."
He added: "That would imply deeper ... economic sanctions against Russia which would have a very damaging effect on the Russian economy."
"We now see a new Russian military build-up around the Ukrainian border. At least a few thousand more Russian troops are now deployed," Rasmussen said in London.
"I consider this a very regrettable step backwards. It seems Russia keeps the option open to intervene further in Ukraine," he said. "The international community would have to respond in a firm manner if Russia were to intervene further in Ukraine."
He added: "That would imply deeper ... economic sanctions against Russia which would have a very damaging effect on the Russian economy."
13:07
19.6.2014