11:29
25.4.2014
Another update from RFE/RL's news desk:
Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseny Yatsenyuk has accused Russia of seeking to start World War III with its actions in Ukraine.
He said Russia aims to occupy Ukraine "militarily and politically" and spark a war in Ukraine that "will lead to a military conflict in Europe."
Yatsenyuk was speaking to the cabinet on April 25 in remarks broadcast live.
Yatsenyuk's comments came as acting Defense Minister Mykhailo Koval said Russian troop maneuvers have come within one kilometer of Ukraine's border, adding that Ukraine's armed forces stand "ready to repel any aggression."
Russia has come under international criticism for massing an estimated 40,000 troops along the Ukrainian border as pro-Russian rebels continue to occupy government buildings in a dozen eastern Ukrainian towns.
Moscow says it is simply conducting military exercises.
He said Russia aims to occupy Ukraine "militarily and politically" and spark a war in Ukraine that "will lead to a military conflict in Europe."
Yatsenyuk was speaking to the cabinet on April 25 in remarks broadcast live.
Yatsenyuk's comments came as acting Defense Minister Mykhailo Koval said Russian troop maneuvers have come within one kilometer of Ukraine's border, adding that Ukraine's armed forces stand "ready to repel any aggression."
Russia has come under international criticism for massing an estimated 40,000 troops along the Ukrainian border as pro-Russian rebels continue to occupy government buildings in a dozen eastern Ukrainian towns.
Moscow says it is simply conducting military exercises.
11:28
25.4.2014
Reuters: Ukraine says Russian troops came within one kilometer of the border but did not cross http://t.co/7XLubcK77R
— KyivPost (@KyivPost) April 25, 2014
10:47
25.4.2014
Some reports coming out of an incident at Kramatorsk airfield. Smoke seen in some photos. BBC team heading there.
— Kevin Bishop (@bishopk) April 25, 2014
10:32
25.4.2014
RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service has been talking to Stefan Fuele in Prague:
EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele says the best way for Russia to help de-escalate the situation in Ukraine is to withdraw the troops that it has massed along its border with Ukraine.
Fuele, who is in Prague for a meeting of the EU's Eastern Partnership, told RFE/RL yesterday that along with discussing the future of the European Partnership, the gathering is also talking about how to help Ukraine and end the crisis there.
Russia has an estimated 40,000 troops along the Ukrainian border.
Fuele added that EU officials have made it clear that economic and other sanctions against Russia will get tougher if the situation in Ukraine is further escalated by Moscow.
Ukraine, Belarus, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, and Moldova are the six countries in the EU's Eastern Partnership.
Elsewhere, speaking in South Korea earlier, U.S. President Barack Obama said he will consult with key European leaders later today to discuss the Ukraine crisis and possible additional sanctions against Russia.
Fuele, who is in Prague for a meeting of the EU's Eastern Partnership, told RFE/RL yesterday that along with discussing the future of the European Partnership, the gathering is also talking about how to help Ukraine and end the crisis there.
Russia has an estimated 40,000 troops along the Ukrainian border.
Fuele added that EU officials have made it clear that economic and other sanctions against Russia will get tougher if the situation in Ukraine is further escalated by Moscow.
Ukraine, Belarus, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, and Moldova are the six countries in the EU's Eastern Partnership.
Elsewhere, speaking in South Korea earlier, U.S. President Barack Obama said he will consult with key European leaders later today to discuss the Ukraine crisis and possible additional sanctions against Russia.
10:10
25.4.2014
10:09
25.4.2014
RFE/RL's news desk has been reporting on Sergei Lavrov's latest comments:
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has accused Washington of distorting an international agreement on Ukraine by making additional demands on Moscow.
Speaking in Moscow on April 25, Lavrov said "Russia will firmly contribute to the de-escalation of the conflict based on the compromise approach agreed in Geneva."
But he said "one-sided demands" are being made by the United States, which he said has "an outstanding ability to turn everything on its head."
He also said the pro-Western government in Kyiv will eventually face justice for its security operation in eastern Ukraine, calling it a "bloody crime."
Lavrov's comments after U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said the "window of opportunity" for Russia to change course in Ukraine is closing.
He said Russia has not taken "a single concrete step" to implement the agreement reached last week in Geneva.
Speaking in Moscow on April 25, Lavrov said "Russia will firmly contribute to the de-escalation of the conflict based on the compromise approach agreed in Geneva."
But he said "one-sided demands" are being made by the United States, which he said has "an outstanding ability to turn everything on its head."
He also said the pro-Western government in Kyiv will eventually face justice for its security operation in eastern Ukraine, calling it a "bloody crime."
Lavrov's comments after U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said the "window of opportunity" for Russia to change course in Ukraine is closing.
He said Russia has not taken "a single concrete step" to implement the agreement reached last week in Geneva.
10:02
25.4.2014
.@rsf_rwb on Eastern Ukraine: "These latest abductions have taken attacks on journalists to a new, intolerable level" http://t.co/m7r6Sb34qy
— Maxim Eristavi (@MaximEristavi) April 25, 2014
09:45
25.4.2014
RFE/RL's news desk has more on a reported incident near Odesa:
Regional police say seven people were injured by an explosive device overnight at a pro-Ukrainian checkpoint near Ukraine's Black Sea port of Odesa.
Russian news agencies quote police as saying a bomb was thrown from a passing car.
The injuries are not said to be life-threatening.
The incident is under investigation.
According to the Reuters news agency, Odesa residents have built several such checkpoints near the town aimed at stopping pro-Russian separatists from entering Moldova's breakaway region of Transdniester.
NATO warned last month of a possible Russian military grab for Transdniester following Moscow's annexation of Ukraine's Crimea.
Russian news agencies quote police as saying a bomb was thrown from a passing car.
The injuries are not said to be life-threatening.
The incident is under investigation.
According to the Reuters news agency, Odesa residents have built several such checkpoints near the town aimed at stopping pro-Russian separatists from entering Moldova's breakaway region of Transdniester.
NATO warned last month of a possible Russian military grab for Transdniester following Moscow's annexation of Ukraine's Crimea.
09:40
25.4.2014
NEW IRI POLL: OPPOSITION TO RUSSIAN MILITARY INTERVENTION STRONG THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY, ENTHUSIASM FOR ELECTION HIGH http://t.co/NIugw23vwL
— Geoffrey Pyatt (@GeoffPyatt) April 25, 2014
09:16
25.4.2014
UN rep gives more deets on Russian military buildup on Ukraine's border: artillery, Grad rocket launchers & 200 tanks http://t.co/Wl0NFa8tOA
— Alec Luhn (@ASLuhn) April 25, 2014