09:09
14.4.2014
RFE/RL's news desk is reporting that the Kyiv government's deadline for the separatists has come and gone, thus far without incident:
A Ukrainian government deadline for pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine to lay down their weapons and leave state buildings they have occupied has passed with no signs of the rebels complying.
Ukraine's acting President Oleksander Turchynov had threatened a "large-scale anti-terrorist" operation involving the army if the separatists failed to comply with the government's demands by 9 a.m. local time on April 14.
Correspondents on the ground in Slovyansk and Donetsk, however, said the separatists were not preparing to comply with the ultimatum.
Russia has urged Kyiv not to use force against pro-Russia protesters.
But Ukraine's government and the West have accused Moscow of artificially creating the crisis in eastern Ukraine.
A Ukrainian government deadline for pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine to lay down their weapons and leave state buildings they have occupied has passed with no signs of the rebels complying.
Ukraine's acting President Oleksander Turchynov had threatened a "large-scale anti-terrorist" operation involving the army if the separatists failed to comply with the government's demands by 9 a.m. local time on April 14.
Correspondents on the ground in Slovyansk and Donetsk, however, said the separatists were not preparing to comply with the ultimatum.
Russia has urged Kyiv not to use force against pro-Russia protesters.
But Ukraine's government and the West have accused Moscow of artificially creating the crisis in eastern Ukraine.
08:53
14.4.2014
Ukraine rebels show no signs of complying as government deadline passes http://t.co/xSej8q8T5a via @Reuters
— Alessandra Prentice (@alessaprentice) April 14, 2014
08:44
14.4.2014
Its true donbass crisis is a bit like Crimea, but big differences. For instance, I haven't seen a Night Wolf yet.
— Roland Oliphant (@RolandOliphant) April 14, 2014
08:03
14.4.2014
Meanwhile, as our news desk reports, Viktor Yanukovych has been offering his take on events in Ukraine:
Ousted president Viktor Yanukovych has accused the CIA of being behind the new Ukrainian government's decision to deploy armed forces against pro-Russian gunmen in eastern Ukraine.
Speaking on April 13 on Russian state television, Yanukovych claimed that CIA director John Brennan had met with Ukraine's new leadership and "in fact sanctioned the use of weapons and provoked bloodshed."
There was no independent confirmation that Brennan was in Ukraine or in any way involved in the decision to send troops to eastern Ukraine.
Yanukovych was ousted in February following months of protests in Kyiv that were sparked by his refusal to sign a key deal with the European Union and turn toward Russia.
He fled to Russia, saying he feared for his life.
Ousted president Viktor Yanukovych has accused the CIA of being behind the new Ukrainian government's decision to deploy armed forces against pro-Russian gunmen in eastern Ukraine.
Speaking on April 13 on Russian state television, Yanukovych claimed that CIA director John Brennan had met with Ukraine's new leadership and "in fact sanctioned the use of weapons and provoked bloodshed."
There was no independent confirmation that Brennan was in Ukraine or in any way involved in the decision to send troops to eastern Ukraine.
Yanukovych was ousted in February following months of protests in Kyiv that were sparked by his refusal to sign a key deal with the European Union and turn toward Russia.
He fled to Russia, saying he feared for his life.
08:00
14.4.2014
07:47
14.4.2014
The international news editor of Britain's Channel 4 has been tweeting from Donetsk:
Good morning #Donetsk. You look wet, misty and quiet. Where's the #Ukrainian govt 'anti terror' operation?
— Lindsey Hilsum (@lindseyhilsum) April 14, 2014
07:46
14.4.2014
The price of Russian gas has been a major bone of contention between Moscow and Kyiv in recent days. The head of Ukraine's central bank has had this to say on the subject (as reported by RFE/RL's newsdesk):
Stepan Kubiv, the Governor of Ukraine's National Bank, says Kyiv is prepared to pay Russia about $386 per 1,000 cubic meters of gas, below the amount Moscow had demanded.
But Kubiv said that Ukraine will pay all its gas debts.
Moscow this month raised the price it charges Kyiv for gas by 80 percent, to $485 per 1,000 cubic meters, and said it awaits $2.2 billion in unpaid bills.
Speaking on April 13 in Washington on the sidelines of the IMF-World Bank meetings in the U.S. capital, Kubiv also said Russia's further incursions into eastern Ukraine would have serious macroeconomic consequences.
Ukraine is set to receive a two-year, $14 billion to $18 billion IMF loan package by early May in exchange for implementing tough economic reforms such as raising energy prices and floating its currency.
Stepan Kubiv, the Governor of Ukraine's National Bank, says Kyiv is prepared to pay Russia about $386 per 1,000 cubic meters of gas, below the amount Moscow had demanded.
But Kubiv said that Ukraine will pay all its gas debts.
Moscow this month raised the price it charges Kyiv for gas by 80 percent, to $485 per 1,000 cubic meters, and said it awaits $2.2 billion in unpaid bills.
Speaking on April 13 in Washington on the sidelines of the IMF-World Bank meetings in the U.S. capital, Kubiv also said Russia's further incursions into eastern Ukraine would have serious macroeconomic consequences.
Ukraine is set to receive a two-year, $14 billion to $18 billion IMF loan package by early May in exchange for implementing tough economic reforms such as raising energy prices and floating its currency.
07:34
14.4.2014
Meanwhile in Russia:
Moscow now offers a how-to guide for Russians who want to raise hell in Ukraine, and it's working http://t.co/a8uH31IRaB
— The Daily Beast (@thedailybeast) April 14, 2014
07:33
14.4.2014
Good morning. The White House has issued a fact sheet titled "Russian Fiction: The Sequel
Ten More False Claims about Ukraine," which has since been doing the rounds on Twitter:
Ten More False Claims about Ukraine," which has since been doing the rounds on Twitter:
Ten more false Russian claims about Ukraine. http://t.co/zil6XnGwro
— Geoffrey Pyatt (@GeoffPyatt) April 14, 2014
19:42
13.4.2014