12:27
25.4.2014
Our news desk has another update, this time on Angela Merkel's latest comments:
A German government spokesman says Chancellor Angela Merkel believes Russia's actions regarding Ukraine since last week's Geneva agreement have been "absolutely disappointing."
The spokesman said Merkel conveyed her "great concern" to Russian President Vladimir Putin in a phone call today.
The Geneva statement, intended to de-escalate tensions in Ukraine, was agreed on April 17 by the foreign ministers of Russia, Ukraine, the European Union, and the United States, but few measures have been implemented so far.
The spokesman said Merkel conveyed her "great concern" to Russian President Vladimir Putin in a phone call today.
The Geneva statement, intended to de-escalate tensions in Ukraine, was agreed on April 17 by the foreign ministers of Russia, Ukraine, the European Union, and the United States, but few measures have been implemented so far.
12:21
25.4.2014
Russian GRAD rocket launchers moving towards Ukraine border. Very nasty weapon if you're on receiving end pic.twitter.com/fPxv2dlz6b
— bruce springnote (@BSpringnote) April 25, 2014
11:47
25.4.2014
According to @ukrpravda_news, the pilot of the crashed helicopter was shot by a sniper, says the 'anti-terrorist' center
— Olaf Koens (@obk) April 25, 2014
11:46
25.4.2014
Local site reports exploded chopper at Kramatorsk airfield http://t.co/dih1s7h7g2
— Leonid Ragozin (@leonidragozin) April 25, 2014
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.