20:20
7.4.2014
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, in a telephone conversation, has reportedly told Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov that events in eastern Ukraine did not appear to be "spontaneous." The State Department said Kerry made clear any further Russian efforts to destabilize Ukraine will incur further costs for Russia.
20:21
7.4.2014
Reuters reports:
State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Kerry "called on Russia to publicly disavow the activities of separatists, saboteurs, and provocateurs" in Ukraine.
She said the two discussed convening direct talks in the next 10 days between Ukraine, Russia, the United States and the European Union to defuse tensions.
She said the two discussed convening direct talks in the next 10 days between Ukraine, Russia, the United States and the European Union to defuse tensions.
21:01
7.4.2014
Here are highlights of acting Ukraine President Turchynov's televised speech to the country today, in which he described the eastern Ukraine occupations and unrests as "the second wave in Russia's special operation against Ukraine."
21:03
7.4.2014
White House spokesman Jay Carney told a press briefing in Washington that the United States is "concerned about several escalatory moves in Ukraine over the weekend, and we see those as a result of increased Russian pressure on Ukraine." Here are more statements from that appearance:
“We saw groups of pro-Russian demonstrators take over government buildings in the eastern cities of Kharkiv, Donetsk and Luhansk, and there is strong evidence suggesting some of these demonstrators were paid and were not local residents.”
“If Russia moves into eastern Ukraine, either overtly or covertly, this would be a very serious escalation. We call on President Putin and his government to cease all efforts to destabilize Ukraine, and we caution against further military intervention.”
“We have the authorities already to impose further sanctions, and the president and his team will continue to assess Russia’s actions and whether or not to impose those further sanctions. We also have the authorities to impose further sanctions for the transgressions already made by Russia when it comes to Crimea.”
“If Russia moves into eastern Ukraine, either overtly or covertly, this would be a very serious escalation. We call on President Putin and his government to cease all efforts to destabilize Ukraine, and we caution against further military intervention.”
“We have the authorities already to impose further sanctions, and the president and his team will continue to assess Russia’s actions and whether or not to impose those further sanctions. We also have the authorities to impose further sanctions for the transgressions already made by Russia when it comes to Crimea.”
21:34
7.4.2014
Barring major developments, that concludes our live blogging for April 7. Thanks for following events with us.
07:13
8.4.2014
Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov says a counterterrorist operation is under way in the eastern city of Kharkiv. That's where pro-Russians stormed and occupied a local administration building. Interfax quoted Avakov as saying that about 70 "separatists" had been arrested.
07:27
8.4.2014
Interior Minister Avakov announced the Kharkiv counterterror operation via via Facebook.
07:33
8.4.2014
Writing on his Facebook page, Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said the state administration building in Kharkiv had been cleared of separatists and work had resumed.
Downtown has been "blocked off" but the subway is operating, he added.
Ukraine's Interior Ministry was quoted by Interfax-Ukraine news agency as saying those detained were suspected of "illegal activity related to separatism, the organization of mass disorder, damage to human health," and breaking other laws.
After news of the Kharkiv operation emerged, Russia's Foreign Ministry this morning called on Kyiv's authorities to stop massing military forces it claims are intent on suppressing antigovernment protests in southeastern Ukraine.
Pro-Russian protesters seized government buildings in the eastern cities of Kharkiv, Luhansk, and Donetsk on April 6, demanding that referendums be held on whether to join Russia.
Downtown has been "blocked off" but the subway is operating, he added.
Ukraine's Interior Ministry was quoted by Interfax-Ukraine news agency as saying those detained were suspected of "illegal activity related to separatism, the organization of mass disorder, damage to human health," and breaking other laws.
After news of the Kharkiv operation emerged, Russia's Foreign Ministry this morning called on Kyiv's authorities to stop massing military forces it claims are intent on suppressing antigovernment protests in southeastern Ukraine.
Pro-Russian protesters seized government buildings in the eastern cities of Kharkiv, Luhansk, and Donetsk on April 6, demanding that referendums be held on whether to join Russia.
08:05
8.4.2014
Russia has accused Ukrainian authorities of suppressing free speech and employing an "illegal right-wing group 'Right Sector'" to quell unrest.
08:06
8.4.2014
#Russia urges #Ukraine to halt military preparations to avert civil war http://t.co/VFO7H6CIro
— MFA Russia (@mfa_russia) April 8, 2014