Reuters: Luhansk region snubs Putin call to delay vote http://t.co/r1y3PFlAPd
— Kyiv Post (@KyivPost) May 8, 2014
Despite Putin's call for postponement, separatists in Luhansk and Donetsk have decided to hold referendums on May 11, as planned.
— Isaac Webb (@isaacdwebb) May 8, 2014
Aleksandr Orlov said in comments to BFM television today that Putin will attend a ceremony in Normandy on June 6 to mark the 70th anniversary of the Normandy landings by Allied forces in World War II.
The event would be the first time Putin would have a chance to meet in person with Western leaders since the Ukraine crisis and Russia's annexation of Crimea started in February.
U.S. President Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel are among the Western leaders who will also attend the D-Day ceremonies in Normandy.
The news of Putin's attendance came on the same day that French President Francois Hollande said he had told the Russian leader that he is "welcome" to attend the event.
Local press reports police firing warning shots again in #Mariupol today, tyres being set on fire http://t.co/hKV3WCx5lo
— Piers Scholfield (@inglesi) May 8, 2014
EU says local referendum on May 11 is illegal, will lead to further escalation in Ukraine http://t.co/1BLRHVWDbL
— Kyiv Post (@KyivPost) May 8, 2014
My prediction for the official referendum results on Sunday: 84 percent turnout, 98.6% voting for creation of the Donetsk People's Republic
— Shaun Walker (@shaunwalker7) May 8, 2014
Russian defense officials said today that the military had fired a Topol intercontinental ballistic missile from a test site in Plesetsk and several shorter-range missiles from submarines in Russia's Northern and Pacific fleets.
Along with Putin, the exercises were watched by visiting presidents from Belarus, Armenia, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan.
Other military maneuvers included the launch in western Russia of air-to-surface rockets by Tu-95 strategic bombers as well as news that Russia's Northern Fleet armada -- led by the aircraft carrier "Admiral Kuznetsov" -- had entered the English Channel.
Putin said the maneuvers had been planned in November and told the presidents that Russia's nuclear defense capabilities were strong and on "constant alert."
Putin: Premier-turned-President-turned-Czar New @Time cover http://t.co/fzourcWnox pic.twitter.com/BajqaD1xlR
— Maxim Eristavi (@MaximEristavi) May 8, 2014
#Russia's aggression agst #Ukraine has raised understandable concerns. #NATO has taken immediate steps, won't hesitate to take further steps
— AndersFogh Rasmussen (@AndersFoghR) May 8, 2014