11:19
26.4.2014
This just in via Reuters:
MOSCOW, April 26 (Reuters) - Russia will take all possible steps to free detained OSCE military observers in the Ukrainian town of Slaviansk, Russian news agencies reported on Saturday, citing Russia's envoy to the Vienna-based Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
"We think that these people need to be freed as soon as possible," Andrei Kelin said in comments cited by ITAR-TASS. "Russia as a member of the OSCE will undertake all possible steps in this matter."
MOSCOW, April 26 (Reuters) - Russia will take all possible steps to free detained OSCE military observers in the Ukrainian town of Slaviansk, Russian news agencies reported on Saturday, citing Russia's envoy to the Vienna-based Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
"We think that these people need to be freed as soon as possible," Andrei Kelin said in comments cited by ITAR-TASS. "Russia as a member of the OSCE will undertake all possible steps in this matter."
11:20
26.4.2014
More on the identity and circumstances in this apparent murder case in eastern Ukraine, described along with local lawmaker Volodymyr Rybak as have been "brutally tortured."
"The Kyiv Post" has more details:
"The Kyiv Post" has more details:
A 19-year-old Kyiv Polytechnic Institute student has been identified as the other corpse that was found on April 19 alongside Horlivka city councilman Volodymyr Rybak in a river near Sloviansk in Donetsk Oblast, reported the educational institute’s president Mykhailo Zhurovsky on his VKontekte social media page.
Yuriy Popravko’s body had signs of torture and was found in the Torets River near the village of Raihorodok outside Sloviansk, together with Rybak’s tortured and murdered body.
“To our great sorrow, our worst fears have been confirmed,” wrote KPI president Zhurovsky. “A student at the Kyiv Polytechnic Institute in the Department of Sociology and Law, Yuriy Popravko, has died tragically. His body with signs of torture was found in the river near Slovyansk, Donetsk Oblast, together with the body of deputy Vitaliy Rybak. We express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Yuriy. May his memory be eternal.”
Yuriy Popravko’s body had signs of torture and was found in the Torets River near the village of Raihorodok outside Sloviansk, together with Rybak’s tortured and murdered body.
“To our great sorrow, our worst fears have been confirmed,” wrote KPI president Zhurovsky. “A student at the Kyiv Polytechnic Institute in the Department of Sociology and Law, Yuriy Popravko, has died tragically. His body with signs of torture was found in the river near Slovyansk, Donetsk Oblast, together with the body of deputy Vitaliy Rybak. We express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Yuriy. May his memory be eternal.”
11:22
26.4.2014
Meanwhile, The New York Times reports that European banks and businesses are seeking to minimize sanctions against Russia:
BERLIN — With the showdown over Ukraine escalating and President Obama warning Moscow of a tough new round of sanctions, Russia and its allies in the European private sector are conducting a separate campaign to ensure that they can maintain their deep and longstanding economic ties even if the Kremlin orders further military action.
European banks and businesses are far more exposed to the Russian economy than are their American counterparts. Trade between the European Union and Russia amounted to almost $370 billion in 2012, while United States trade with Russia was about $26 billion that year.
As a result, they have lobbied energetically to head off or at least dilute any sanctions, making it hard for American and European political leaders to come up with a package of measures with enough bite to influence Moscow’s behavior in Ukraine.
European banks and businesses are far more exposed to the Russian economy than are their American counterparts. Trade between the European Union and Russia amounted to almost $370 billion in 2012, while United States trade with Russia was about $26 billion that year.
As a result, they have lobbied energetically to head off or at least dilute any sanctions, making it hard for American and European political leaders to come up with a package of measures with enough bite to influence Moscow’s behavior in Ukraine.
11:25
26.4.2014
And this from The Kyiv Post on the detained OSCE observers (via Interfax-Ukraine):
Activists of the self-defense forces of Donbas who are against the current Ukrainian government and support federalization in the country, say they do not rule out that the officers of the General Staff of Ukraine previously seized in Sloviansk may be exchanged for the activists detained by the Kyiv authorities.
11:27
26.4.2014
11:28
26.4.2014
Al Jazeera has a report out on the cost of the Ukraine incursion for Russia's economy:
Russia provides one-third of Europe's energy needs, yet after its foray into Crimea and increasing activity in eastern Ukraine, its economy has seen the most difficult conditions since the 2008 financial crisis.
It has seen capital flight of $63bn in the first three months of this year as investors dump the ruble. And that haemorrhaging of the economy is predicted to continue; the Russian finance minister said this week that the economy may see zero growth this year because of the unrest in Ukraine.
It has seen capital flight of $63bn in the first three months of this year as investors dump the ruble. And that haemorrhaging of the economy is predicted to continue; the Russian finance minister said this week that the economy may see zero growth this year because of the unrest in Ukraine.
Check out the whole report here (with a 25-minute video)
11:30
26.4.2014
And Russia still deciding whether or not it will recognize Ukraine's May 25 presidential election. This, via Reuters:
Russia is reserving judgment on whether to recognize Ukraine's presidential election on May 25, Russia's ambassador to the United Nations, Vitaly Churkin, told the Komsomolskaya Pravda newspaper in an interview published on Saturday.
"We are watching how they take place," he said. "If tanks will be shooting, then of course (recognition) is absurd. But for now we aren't making categorical declarations and conclusions in advance."
Churkin also said it was possible the elections may not happen.
"We are watching how they take place," he said. "If tanks will be shooting, then of course (recognition) is absurd. But for now we aren't making categorical declarations and conclusions in advance."
Churkin also said it was possible the elections may not happen.
11:39
26.4.2014
11:41
26.4.2014
Life News shows documents of detained OSCE observers:
And obviously @lifenews_ru showcases the snatched documents http://t.co/62UMomh0OI pic.twitter.com/STCUK6aSI7
— Olaf Koens (@obk) April 26, 2014
11:43
26.4.2014
Looks like pretty sparse turnout so far at a separatist demonstration in Kharkiv. Pavel Sheramet tweets a photo:
Митинг сепаратистов в Харькове, полдень. Я себя под Лениным чищу pic.twitter.com/OFeiSSVt6S
— Павел Шеремет (@pavelsheremet) April 26, 2014