Good morning. We are resuming our live blogging of the Ukraine crisis for Monday, September 8.
That concludes our live blogging for Sunday, September 7. Follow our continuing coverage via our homepage.
From RFE/RL Ukrainian Service correspondent Iryna Shtohrin and Claire Bigg in Prague:
As Renewed Fighting Grips Southeastern Ukraine, Neighboring Region Braces For Violence
Our latest newsroom wrap-up of the latest events:
Mariupol, Donetsk Shelling Threaten Ukraine Cease-Fire
Here's some of what RFE/RL Ukrainian Service correspondent Vitaliy Sizov told us by phone about the situation in Mariupol on Sunday:
"The situation in Mariupol is calm and stable despite yesterday's shelling at a [government] check point. People were out in the city freely, but there were less people than usual. All stores were open."
"There is enhanced police patrolling, there wasn't any yesterday. They control the city center. I also saw members of the National Guard."
"Toward evening, gunfire could briefly be heard in the city center as well as the sound of cars driving fast, as though someone was being chased."
Dutchman won't have any of the Russian president's "behavior and thinking," rejects Pushkin medal:
Dutch literary translator Hans Boland has refused to accept an award from the Russian authorities for his work, in protest at ‘president Putin’s behaviour and thinking’, the NRC reports.
Boland should have been awarded the Pushkin medal by Putin himself on November 4, the NRC said.
h/t: @EuromaidanPR
Pope Francis talked about Ukraine in his Sunday prayer at the Vatican:
" In these last few days there have been significant steps in the search for a truce in the regions affected by the conflict in eastern Ukraine."
"But today I heard news that was less comforting. However, I hope that [both sides in the conflict] can bring relief to the population and contribute to the efforts for a lasting peace. I pray that, in the logic of the meeting, the dialogue that has been initiated will continue and will bear the hoped-for fruit."