19:41
23.6.2014
Our news desk has just issued this item on the separatist cease-fire:
Separatist leaders in eastern Ukraine say they've agreed to observe a temporary cease-fire until June 27.
Aleksandr Borodai, the self-styled prime minister of the self-declared "Donetsk People's Republic," made the announcement today after peace talks with representatives from Moscow, Kyiv, and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
Borodai said separatists in the self-declared "Luhansk People's Republic" also agreed to a cease-fire until June 27.
He also said separatist officials would join more talks aimed at resolving Ukraine's crisis, which has pitted Ukrainian armed forces against pro-Russian separatist fighters.
The separatists previously rejected the unilateral weeklong truce declared on June 20 by Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko.
Earlier on June 23, European Union foreign ministers repeated their threat of wider sanctions against Russia if it failed to support Poroshenko's peace plan.
Aleksandr Borodai, the self-styled prime minister of the self-declared "Donetsk People's Republic," made the announcement today after peace talks with representatives from Moscow, Kyiv, and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
Borodai said separatists in the self-declared "Luhansk People's Republic" also agreed to a cease-fire until June 27.
He also said separatist officials would join more talks aimed at resolving Ukraine's crisis, which has pitted Ukrainian armed forces against pro-Russian separatist fighters.
The separatists previously rejected the unilateral weeklong truce declared on June 20 by Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko.
Earlier on June 23, European Union foreign ministers repeated their threat of wider sanctions against Russia if it failed to support Poroshenko's peace plan.
19:14
23.6.2014
So, that last RT tweet has now been confirmed by the news wires:
Separatist leaders in two main areas of eastern Ukraine say they’ve agreed to observe a cease-fire until June 27. They also said they would engage in more talks aimed at helping to resolve the conflict between government forces and pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine.
18:52
23.6.2014
#UKRAINE: Donetsk self-defense forces agree to ceasefire until 07:00 GMT Friday http://t.co/gAv8IMJKyN
— RT (@RT_com) June 23, 2014
18:33
23.6.2014
National Security Council: #Militants preparing attack on #Luhansk airport http://t.co/Mu6t7b58le #Ukraine
— Kyiv Post (@KyivPost) June 23, 2014
18:15
23.6.2014
RFE/RL's multimedia department has issued this disquieting video of new volunteers from Ukraine's Azov battalion, which includes members of the radically right-wing Social-National Assembly, taking an oath in St. Sophia's Square in Kyiv vowing to fight against pro-Russian separatists:
17:15
23.6.2014
Council conclusions on Ukraine The Council adopted the following conclusions: "1. The European Union welcomes... http://t.co/h7HEh5KTgM
— EU Delegation UA (@EUDelegationUA) June 23, 2014
16:37
23.6.2014
#NATO to establish Trust Fund for #Ukraine's defense potential http://t.co/AAmD1qAz92
— Kyiv Post (@KyivPost) June 23, 2014
16:37
23.6.2014
EU officially bans import of all goods from #Crimea that haven't been approved by #Kyiv. http://t.co/rDTMV6Bp5L
— Isaac Webb (@isaacdwebb) June 23, 2014
15:50
23.6.2014
Here's another update from our news desk:
European Union foreign ministers have called on Russia to support a peace plan for Ukraine by taking steps to "stop the continued flow of illegal fighters, arms, and equipment" from Russia into Ukraine.
The EU's Foreign Affairs Council said in a statement after a meeting in Luxembourg today that Moscow should "use its influence" to get pro-Russia separatists "to stop the violence and lay down their arms."
It also said Russia should stop massing troops near Ukraine's border and should help obtain the immediate release of monitors from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and other hostages kidnapped by armed separatists in eastern Ukraine.
The ministers threatened further targeted sanctions if Russia fails to support a peace plan proposed by Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko.
They praised Poroshenko for "determined actions towards peace and stability" against a "backdrop of increased violent activities by pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine."
The EU's Foreign Affairs Council said in a statement after a meeting in Luxembourg today that Moscow should "use its influence" to get pro-Russia separatists "to stop the violence and lay down their arms."
It also said Russia should stop massing troops near Ukraine's border and should help obtain the immediate release of monitors from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and other hostages kidnapped by armed separatists in eastern Ukraine.
The ministers threatened further targeted sanctions if Russia fails to support a peace plan proposed by Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko.
They praised Poroshenko for "determined actions towards peace and stability" against a "backdrop of increased violent activities by pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine."
