20:52
28.4.2014
Another update from our news desk on the captured OSCE observers in Slovyansk. Moscow appears to be suggesting that those who sent the observers to Ukraine were at fault for their abduction:
The Russian ambassador to the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) said it had been "extremely irresponsible" to send OSCE military observers to eastern Ukraine, where they were captured by pro-Russian rebels last week.
Andrei Kelin also said releasing the seven European monitors would be a "good step" towards deescalating the crisis.
He said that Moscow was also taking "some steps" to secure the observers release. He gave no further details.
Kelin spoke to reporters after an emergency OSCE meeting on April 28 in Vienna.
Pro-Russian separatists in the eastern city of Slovyansk captured eight OSCE observers on April 15. One has been released on medical grounds. The others are still being held, described by the separatists' leader as "prisoners of war."
Germany has urged Moscow to use its influence on the separatists to secure the release of the observers.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called on any UN members with influence to work to secure the immediate release of the OSCE observers.
Andrei Kelin also said releasing the seven European monitors would be a "good step" towards deescalating the crisis.
He said that Moscow was also taking "some steps" to secure the observers release. He gave no further details.
Kelin spoke to reporters after an emergency OSCE meeting on April 28 in Vienna.
Pro-Russian separatists in the eastern city of Slovyansk captured eight OSCE observers on April 15. One has been released on medical grounds. The others are still being held, described by the separatists' leader as "prisoners of war."
Germany has urged Moscow to use its influence on the separatists to secure the release of the observers.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called on any UN members with influence to work to secure the immediate release of the OSCE observers.
21:49
28.4.2014
VICE News correspondent Simon Ostrovsky has posted a dispatch about his recent abduction by pro-Russia separatist on YouTube:
22:26
28.4.2014
Our news desk has some reaction from Russia to the deployment of U.S. troops in Estonia today:
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has called the increase in activity of U.S. and NATO forces near Russia's borders unprecedented.
He made the statement in a phone conversation April 28 with U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel.
Shoigu also told Hagel Moscow is open to contract with all sides to diffuse tensions over Ukraine.
About 150 U.S. troops arrived in Estonia April 28 to take part in military exercises amid rising tensions with Russia over Ukraine.
The deployment brings to 600 the number of troops sent by Washington to Poland and the Baltic states to allay the concerns of eastern NATO allies over the escalating crisis.
Also on April 28, Britain and France deployed eight fighter jets to reinforce NATO patrols over Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has called the increase in activity of U.S. and NATO forces near Russia's borders unprecedented.
He made the statement in a phone conversation April 28 with U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel.
Shoigu also told Hagel Moscow is open to contract with all sides to diffuse tensions over Ukraine.
About 150 U.S. troops arrived in Estonia April 28 to take part in military exercises amid rising tensions with Russia over Ukraine.
The deployment brings to 600 the number of troops sent by Washington to Poland and the Baltic states to allay the concerns of eastern NATO allies over the escalating crisis.
Also on April 28, Britain and France deployed eight fighter jets to reinforce NATO patrols over Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia.
23:06
28.4.2014
RFE/RL's Carl Schreck and Luke Johnson have been profiling those who have been targeted by the latest round of U.S. sanctions, including Putin's "righthand man" Igor Sechin:
With his stern visage and reputation for secretive machinations, Sechin has been likened to Darth Vader and is believed by many to be Putin's closest confidant. A former deputy prime minister who oversaw Russia's vast energy wealth, he currently serves as president of state-owned oil giant Rosneft and is widely seen as one of the country's most powerful men. In announcing the sanctions, the U.S. Treasury Department cited Sechin's "utter loyalty" to Putin as a "key component to his current standing."
23:14
28.4.2014
Barring any dramatic developments, we are now closing the live blog for today. Before we go, we will leave you with some footage from RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service of the violence today in Donetsk, which broke out after some pro-Russia militants attacked a pro-Ukraine rally in the city (natural sound):
09:39
29.4.2014
09:40
29.4.2014
Addressing "federalization" may not change anything, it seems.
09:43
29.4.2014
Is Russia actually pulling back its troops from the border with Ukraine?
09:46
29.4.2014
The EU's addition to Russian sanctions released:
09:47
29.4.2014
Hennadiy Kernes was shot in the back yesterday, now in Israel: