14:24
24.5.2014
14:20
24.5.2014
According to RFE/RL's news desk, Putin has been talking about gas supplies at the St. Petersburg economic forum:
Russian President Vladimir Putin has told officials from leading energy companies that Russia is concerned about threats by "Ukrainian radicals" to disrupt gas supplies to Europe.
Addressing the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum today, Putin spoke about this alleged threat to Europe-bound Russian gas supplies transiting Ukraine and said, "I won’t deny that we are seriously worried."
Putin also addressed calls to reduce Europe's energy dependence on Russia, saying Moscow has always honored its contractual obligations to supply gas to Europe and that "loud remarks" on cutting back on Russian energy supplies were "stupid."
"Russia will not make unscrupulous use of energy prices in Asian and European markets," he said.
Putin also said Russia is aware of European plans to diversify energy suppliers, but referring to plans to import gas from the United States, Putin said it would be more expensive for Europe than purchasing Russian gas.
Addressing the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum today, Putin spoke about this alleged threat to Europe-bound Russian gas supplies transiting Ukraine and said, "I won’t deny that we are seriously worried."
Putin also addressed calls to reduce Europe's energy dependence on Russia, saying Moscow has always honored its contractual obligations to supply gas to Europe and that "loud remarks" on cutting back on Russian energy supplies were "stupid."
"Russia will not make unscrupulous use of energy prices in Asian and European markets," he said.
Putin also said Russia is aware of European plans to diversify energy suppliers, but referring to plans to import gas from the United States, Putin said it would be more expensive for Europe than purchasing Russian gas.
13:51
24.5.2014
A polling station in Mariivka, E. #Ukraine raided & closed by forces of the "Donetsk People's Republic" pic.twitter.com/zERNk2w4t4
— Jim Sciutto (@jimsciutto) May 24, 2014
13:43
24.5.2014
Very quiet in Torez, one day after shooting. Locals aren't sure if or where elections will be held tomorrow.
— Isaac Webb (@isaacdwebb) May 24, 2014
13:42
24.5.2014
A 2nd round Poroshenko v Tymoshenko would be disaster. Tymo gets 3 weeks for wrecking campaign, decisive negotiations in East are put off.
— Shaun Walker (@shaunwalker7) May 24, 2014
13:36
24.5.2014
Our news desk reports that Dmitry Rogozin is in Syria, and he's been taking a little swipe at Kyiv while he's there it seems:
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin has met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Rogozin wrote on May 24 on his Twitter account that he was meeting with officials in Damascus and "finishing meeting with Assad."
The tweet contained a picture of Rogozin shaking hands with Assad.
Завершающая встреча с президентом Асадом. pic.twitter.com/YKQshTrdvu
— Dmitry Rogozin (@Rogozin) May 24, 2014
Speaking after the meeting with the Syrian president, Rogozin contrasted upcoming presidential elections in Ukraine and Syria, saying Syria's election was being conducted in strict accordance with the constitution and "not as a result of a state coup with an accompanying usurpation of power."
Rogozin's meetings came the same day Russia announced plans to ship 12 MiG-29M/M2 fighter planes to Syria in 2016-2017.
MiG aircraft general director Sergei Korotkov said the shipment of planes was in accordance with an agreement signed in 2007.
13:25
24.5.2014
Russia spent $2 Billion so far on Crimea development since its annexation http://t.co/ODCqnC0hA9
— Ryskeldi Satke (@RyskeldiSatke) May 24, 2014
13:22
24.5.2014
Our news desk reports that former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko met today in Kyiv with former U.S. Secretary of State and current chairwoman of the U.S. National Democratic Institute Madeleine Albright. Here's what they told reporters:
TYMOSHENKO: I really hope the election will take place on May 25. We won't let anyone disrupt the election, and we think that the presidential election is a really strong stabilizing factor for Ukraine. It gives us hope that we, as a country, will start the process of stabilization and the return of peace to the country.
ALBRIGHT: I do not speak for my country any more but I do speak as chairman of the National Democratic Institute. We want very much to be in Ukraine, to be supportive not only of the election, but of all the work that is doing to have to take place afterwards.
ALBRIGHT: I do not speak for my country any more but I do speak as chairman of the National Democratic Institute. We want very much to be in Ukraine, to be supportive not only of the election, but of all the work that is doing to have to take place afterwards.
13:12
24.5.2014
Computer virus at #Ukraine's election commission still a problem; they have switched off their internet and unable to receive emails
— Jamie Dettmer (@jamiewrit) May 24, 2014
12:11
24.5.2014
The t-shirts young girls in Kiev wear these days... Keep calm. @ Maidan Nezalezhnosti http://t.co/RYso7zpZyx
— Olaf Koens (@obk) May 24, 2014