17:43
26.4.2014
Here's the latest wrap from Reuters on comments by Vyacheslav Ponomaryov, the self-proclaimed "mayor" of Slovyansk at today's presser:
(URGENT) Ukraine rebels holding observers say prisoner swap possible
SLAVIANSK, Ukraine, April 26 (Reuters) - Separatists in the eastern Ukrainian city of Slaviansk are ready to exchange a group of international observers they are holding for fellow rebels who are in the custody of the Ukrainian authorities, their leader said on Saturday.
Asked about a prisoner exchange, Vyacheslav Ponomaryov, de facto mayor of Slaviansk, told reporters: "The Kiev junta has our fellows and comrades therefore, if there is a possibility, we are ready for an exchange."
"They (members of the observer mission) are in alright condition. One of the soldiers suffers from diabetes, but it is not a serious condition, he is on tablets. There is medicine there is food," said Ponomaryov.
"They were soldiers on our territory without our permission, of course they are prisoners," he said. "We won't know what to do until we determine who they are, what kind of activities, for what purpose they came here."
He said the Russian government had not been in contact with him to discuss the observers' release.
SLAVIANSK, Ukraine, April 26 (Reuters) - Separatists in the eastern Ukrainian city of Slaviansk are ready to exchange a group of international observers they are holding for fellow rebels who are in the custody of the Ukrainian authorities, their leader said on Saturday.
Asked about a prisoner exchange, Vyacheslav Ponomaryov, de facto mayor of Slaviansk, told reporters: "The Kiev junta has our fellows and comrades therefore, if there is a possibility, we are ready for an exchange."
"They (members of the observer mission) are in alright condition. One of the soldiers suffers from diabetes, but it is not a serious condition, he is on tablets. There is medicine there is food," said Ponomaryov.
"They were soldiers on our territory without our permission, of course they are prisoners," he said. "We won't know what to do until we determine who they are, what kind of activities, for what purpose they came here."
He said the Russian government had not been in contact with him to discuss the observers' release.
17:39
26.4.2014
17:18
26.4.2014
More Ukraine fallout. Traditionally neutral Finland is witnessing an uptick in support for joining NATO -- at least among military officers. This, via Reuters:
HELSINKI, April 26 (Reuters) - Almost two-thirds of Finnish military officers believe the country should join NATO, and even more think the Russian military threat has grown in the wake of the Ukraine crisis, a poll showed on Saturday.
The crisis has brought relations between Russia and the West to their lowest ebb since the Cold War, and is increasingly turning into a military stand-off.
Of the polled officers, 66 percent favoured NATO entry, 10 percent preferred a defence alliance with Sweden and one quarter thought it would be best to remain outside any alliance.
About three quarters of respondents the Ukraine crisis had made them view NATO membership more positively, and slightly more said the Russian military threat against Finland had increased.
Some 2,000 of the 6,000 members of the Officers' Union were part of the survey, conducted by the union and daily Helsingin Sanomat last week.
Support for NATO membership remains low among the general population, with recent polls showing only about one in five favouring entry.
The crisis has brought relations between Russia and the West to their lowest ebb since the Cold War, and is increasingly turning into a military stand-off.
Of the polled officers, 66 percent favoured NATO entry, 10 percent preferred a defence alliance with Sweden and one quarter thought it would be best to remain outside any alliance.
About three quarters of respondents the Ukraine crisis had made them view NATO membership more positively, and slightly more said the Russian military threat against Finland had increased.
Some 2,000 of the 6,000 members of the Officers' Union were part of the survey, conducted by the union and daily Helsingin Sanomat last week.
Support for NATO membership remains low among the general population, with recent polls showing only about one in five favouring entry.
17:15
26.4.2014
Reuters just moved this news alert:
SEPARATIST LEADER IN EASTERN UKRAINE CITY OF SLAVIANSK SAYS DETAINED INT'L OBSERVERS ARE SUSPECTED OF CARRYING OUT "INTELLIGENCE OPERATIONS ON OUR TERRITORY"
SEPARATIST LEADER IN EASTERN UKRAINE CITY OF SLAVIANSK SAYS DETAINED INT'L OBSERVERS ARE SUSPECTED OF CARRYING OUT "INTELLIGENCE OPERATIONS ON OUR TERRITORY"
17:13
26.4.2014
Photo of medals for the "return of Crimea." The medal reads: Defense Ministry of the Russian Ferderation. For the Return of Crimea. February 20, 2014 - March 18, 2014"
See RFE/RL's report on the medals here.
See RFE/RL's report on the medals here.
17:01
26.4.2014
Photo from the barricades in Kramatorsk. The sign reads: "Ukraine Is Rus."
16:55
26.4.2014
Here's AFP's latest wrap of comments today by Denis Pushilin, the self-proclaimed head of the Donetsk Republic:
DONETSK, Ukraine, April 26, 2014 (AFP) - The head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk Republic on Saturday vowed to go ahead with a referendum on independence for the separatist region in eastern Ukraine next month.
Denis Pushilin told reporters that a popular vote on a "declaration of independence" would be held on May 11, despite major doubts over the logistics and legitimacy of such a referendum.
The question asked would be "Do you approve of the declaration of independence of the People's Republic of Donetsk?" said Pushilin.
After the referendum, there would be elections to decide who would lead the region, he said.
"Then, our People's Republic of Donetsk can start to function again," he said.
"We will see what the best deal is for our relations with the rest of Ukraine -- whether we have a federation, a confederation or independence."
He described the referendum as "inevitable" and said there was "all the money needed to organise it".
Political analysts have voiced doubts over whether the self-proclaimed leaders of the separatist region have the resources -- especially financial -- to mount such a referendum.
Unlike March's disputed referendum in Crimea, in which nearly 97 percent of voters opted for Kremlin rule, pro-Russian protesters in Ukraine's east are not seen as well enough equipped to organise a large popular vote.
Denis Pushilin told reporters that a popular vote on a "declaration of independence" would be held on May 11, despite major doubts over the logistics and legitimacy of such a referendum.
The question asked would be "Do you approve of the declaration of independence of the People's Republic of Donetsk?" said Pushilin.
After the referendum, there would be elections to decide who would lead the region, he said.
"Then, our People's Republic of Donetsk can start to function again," he said.
"We will see what the best deal is for our relations with the rest of Ukraine -- whether we have a federation, a confederation or independence."
He described the referendum as "inevitable" and said there was "all the money needed to organise it".
Political analysts have voiced doubts over whether the self-proclaimed leaders of the separatist region have the resources -- especially financial -- to mount such a referendum.
Unlike March's disputed referendum in Crimea, in which nearly 97 percent of voters opted for Kremlin rule, pro-Russian protesters in Ukraine's east are not seen as well enough equipped to organise a large popular vote.
16:49
26.4.2014
Funny pair of tweets from ABC News' Matt McGarry:
16:47
26.4.2014
Seems like a fair question, asked at the presser of Slovyansk's self-proclaimed "mayor."
16:45
26.4.2014