19:41
14.4.2014
From our news desk:
France says President Francois Hollande has spoken with his U.S. counterpart, Barack Obama, about further Western sanctions against Russia.
An April 14 statement released by Hollande's office said the two presidents shared concerns about recent violence in eastern Ukraine, where pro-Russian groups have seized and occupied government buildings.
Hollande said he hoped a meeting planned for April 17 with representatives from Ukraine, Russia, the United States, and the European Union could "start a dialogue" to ease tensions.
Hollande also discussed possible future measures against Moscow with British Prime Minister David Cameron.
Western states have threatened to impose further sanctions on Russia over last month's annexation of Crimea and the Kremlin's suspected role in supporting pro-Russian protesters in eastern Ukraine.
An April 14 statement released by Hollande's office said the two presidents shared concerns about recent violence in eastern Ukraine, where pro-Russian groups have seized and occupied government buildings.
Hollande said he hoped a meeting planned for April 17 with representatives from Ukraine, Russia, the United States, and the European Union could "start a dialogue" to ease tensions.
Hollande also discussed possible future measures against Moscow with British Prime Minister David Cameron.
Western states have threatened to impose further sanctions on Russia over last month's annexation of Crimea and the Kremlin's suspected role in supporting pro-Russian protesters in eastern Ukraine.
19:42
14.4.2014
19:42
14.4.2014
20:09
14.4.2014
20:09
14.4.2014
20:10
14.4.2014
20:17
14.4.2014
20:32
14.4.2014
From our news desk:
The White House has confirmed that CIA Director John Brennan visited the Ukrainian capital over the weekend.
White House spokesman Jay Carney said on April 14 that Brennan was in Kyiv on a routine trip to Europe.
Carney said, "Senior level visits of intelligence officials are a standard means of fostering mutually beneficial security cooperation."
Carney added it was "absurd" to suggest that Brennan's visit was about anything other than routine cooperation between security officials. He said U.S. and Russian security officials have met over the years.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov earlier in the day demanded a U.S. explanation for Brennan's presence in Kyiv.
Lavrov asked why Brennan made what he described as an urgent visit to Ukraine and added, "So far we have not been given any explanations that would be reasonable" for the trip by the director of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency.
White House spokesman Jay Carney said on April 14 that Brennan was in Kyiv on a routine trip to Europe.
Carney said, "Senior level visits of intelligence officials are a standard means of fostering mutually beneficial security cooperation."
Carney added it was "absurd" to suggest that Brennan's visit was about anything other than routine cooperation between security officials. He said U.S. and Russian security officials have met over the years.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov earlier in the day demanded a U.S. explanation for Brennan's presence in Kyiv.
Lavrov asked why Brennan made what he described as an urgent visit to Ukraine and added, "So far we have not been given any explanations that would be reasonable" for the trip by the director of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency.
22:23
14.4.2014
Rumbling discontent on the streets of Kyiv:
22:23
14.4.2014