10:03
8.4.2014
Acting Ukrainian President Oleksandr Turchynov repeated to parliamentarians today his warning that pro-Russian separatists seizing buildings in the east will be tried as "terrorists," according to AFP.
"The authorities will treat separatists and terrorists who have picked up automatic weapons, who are seizing buildings, in accordance with the constitution and the law -- as terrorists and criminals," Turchynov said.
"The authorities will treat separatists and terrorists who have picked up automatic weapons, who are seizing buildings, in accordance with the constitution and the law -- as terrorists and criminals," Turchynov said.
10:57
8.4.2014
11:14
8.4.2014
Ukrainian police say the separatist activists detained in Kharkiv are mostly local residents, disproving claims of outside provocateurs.
11:22
8.4.2014
11:23
8.4.2014
An emergent debate over the characterization of the occupiers of Ukrainian government buildings as "terrorists."
Here's Maxim Eristavi:
And here's Mark McKinnon:
Here's Maxim Eristavi:
The last time I heard 'anti-terrorist operation' it was the Feb massacre in Kyiv. To label the separatist East 'terrorists' is a big mistake
— Maxim Eristavi (@MaximEristavi) April 8, 2014
And here's Mark McKinnon:
It is a bit rich for the Ukrainian government, which came to power by seizing buildings, to say those who seize buildings are "terrorists."
— Mark MacKinnon (@markmackinnon) April 8, 2014
11:31
8.4.2014
11:54
8.4.2014
Here's Ukrainian Service video of the pro-Russian demonstrators occupying the regional administration building in Kharkiv declaring the sovereignty of a "Kharkiv People's Republic" at a rally last night. They have since been driven out and around 70 people arrested.
12:05
8.4.2014
Yet another brawl in the Ukrainian parliament. Svoboda lawmakers throw punches after Communist leader accuses nationalists of playing into the hands of Russia by adopting radical tactics at the onset of the Ukrainian crisis.
12:07
8.4.2014
From our newsroom:
NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen has warned Russia that any incursion into eastern Ukraine would be "an historic mistake," and has demanded that Moscow pull back its forces from the Ukrainian border.
Speaking April 8 in Paris, Rasmussen said further intervention by Russia in Ukraine would have "grave consequences" for Moscow's relationship with NATO and "would further isolate Russia internationally."
In comments reported earlier, Rasmussen called on Russia pull back what he described as “tens of thousands” of troops massed near the Ukrainian border.
The NATO chief’s comments came as Ukrainian authorities were moving to counter pro-Russian protesters who seized government buildings in three cities in eastern Ukraine.
Since Russia’s annexation of Crimea, NATO has suspended all practical cooperation with Russia and begun to increase its forces in eastern members of the alliance.
Moscow has recalled its top military envoy to NATO.
Speaking April 8 in Paris, Rasmussen said further intervention by Russia in Ukraine would have "grave consequences" for Moscow's relationship with NATO and "would further isolate Russia internationally."
In comments reported earlier, Rasmussen called on Russia pull back what he described as “tens of thousands” of troops massed near the Ukrainian border.
The NATO chief’s comments came as Ukrainian authorities were moving to counter pro-Russian protesters who seized government buildings in three cities in eastern Ukraine.
Since Russia’s annexation of Crimea, NATO has suspended all practical cooperation with Russia and begun to increase its forces in eastern members of the alliance.
Moscow has recalled its top military envoy to NATO.
12:14
8.4.2014
The People's Council of the Donetsk People's Republic is underway. Representatives also form a temporary government and say they fear "provocation" by Kyiv.
After an hour of total chaos members of 'donetsk people's republic' ask for international recognition pic.twitter.com/BAkThgm3kY
— Simon Ostrovsky (@SimonOstrovsky) April 8, 2014