10:18
28.5.2014
Lukashenko even calls Poroshenko and congratulates his victory and offers support
— bruce springnote (@BSpringnote) May 28, 2014
10:14
28.5.2014
According to our news desk, Ramzan Kadyrov claims he had nothing to do with the Chechen combatants who are reportedly fighting for the pro-Russian side in east Ukraine:
Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov says he has not sent any troops to fight alongside pro-Russian insurgents in eastern Ukraine.
In a statement posted on his Instagram account today, Kadyrov said two-thirds of the 3 million Chechens live outside Russia's North Caucasus Republic, so he "can't and mustn't know where each of them goes."
"If the Ukrainian authorities want so much to see 'Chechen units' in Donetsk, why go to Donetsk if there is a good highway to Kyiv?" he also said.
CNN has broadcast footage from Donetsk in which rebel fighters admit they are from Kadyrov's security forces.
The Donetsk mayor has said he believes there were Chechens among fighters wounded in fighting at the city's airport on May 26.
Russian opposition leader Boris Nemstov has alleged that the Chechens were sent to Donetsk with the knowledge of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In a statement posted on his Instagram account today, Kadyrov said two-thirds of the 3 million Chechens live outside Russia's North Caucasus Republic, so he "can't and mustn't know where each of them goes."
"If the Ukrainian authorities want so much to see 'Chechen units' in Donetsk, why go to Donetsk if there is a good highway to Kyiv?" he also said.
CNN has broadcast footage from Donetsk in which rebel fighters admit they are from Kadyrov's security forces.
The Donetsk mayor has said he believes there were Chechens among fighters wounded in fighting at the city's airport on May 26.
Russian opposition leader Boris Nemstov has alleged that the Chechens were sent to Donetsk with the knowledge of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
10:04
28.5.2014
1 of Russian arms channels from Crimea to E.Ukraine, busted by SBU 3 days ago in Zaporizhia http://t.co/2Z9qvtUyFg pic.twitter.com/WtCfG3G18K
— Ryskeldi Satke (@RyskeldiSatke) May 28, 2014
09:52
28.5.2014
#Ukraine arms firm balances between political masters in Kiev, biggest customer in #Russia and pro-Russia separatists http://t.co/oT8y2hCQAh
— Thomas Grove (@tggrove) May 28, 2014
09:45
28.5.2014
Here's an update from RFE/RL's news desk:
German Chancellor Angela Merkel is hosting a dinner in Berlin for leaders from Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova to discuss the crisis in Ukraine.
Ukraine's Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk, Georgia's Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, and Moldovan Prime Minister Iurie Leanca are due in the German capital later today.
The talks are expected to focus specifically on the outcome of last weekend's presidential election, which was won in the first round by billionaire oligarch Petro Poroshenko.
In a telephone conversation yesterday, Merkel congratulated Poroshenko on his election and said it was now time to "continue the path of internal reconciliation."
In a statement, Merkel in particular paid tribute to people who turned out to vote in the rebel-held east of the country "despite harassment and intimidation," saying it was a "sign of hope."
Ukraine's Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk, Georgia's Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, and Moldovan Prime Minister Iurie Leanca are due in the German capital later today.
The talks are expected to focus specifically on the outcome of last weekend's presidential election, which was won in the first round by billionaire oligarch Petro Poroshenko.
In a telephone conversation yesterday, Merkel congratulated Poroshenko on his election and said it was now time to "continue the path of internal reconciliation."
In a statement, Merkel in particular paid tribute to people who turned out to vote in the rebel-held east of the country "despite harassment and intimidation," saying it was a "sign of hope."
09:38
28.5.2014
Poroschenko/Klitschko-interview in @BILD now without paywall #Ukraine http://t.co/bNeO8RTuMh
— Paul Ronzheimer (@ronzheimer) May 28, 2014
08:47
28.5.2014
It's been rumored for a while, now "The New York Times" has more.
21:37
27.5.2014
Barring any dramatic developments, we are now closing our live blog for today. Before we go, here's an update from our news desk regarding the progress Kyiv has made toward securing visa-free travel for its citizens in the EU:
The European Commission has announced that Ukraine has moved a step closer to visa-free travel in the European Union.
The commission said in a statement today that "Ukraine has put in place the necessary legislative, policy and institutional framework and meets the first-phase requirements" for EU visa-free travel.
The commission said that this clears the way for launching the second phase where the EU will check to see, for example, whether laws on issuing secure documents or controlling illegal immigration, are in place.
Commission president Jose Manual Barroso said, "While important work still lies ahead, this is a very concrete sign to the Ukrainian authorities and citizens that with perseverance the benefits of a closer association with the EU are real and tangible to all."
Improved travel ties are part of EU efforts to solidify political and economic ties with Ukraine.
The commission said in a statement today that "Ukraine has put in place the necessary legislative, policy and institutional framework and meets the first-phase requirements" for EU visa-free travel.
The commission said that this clears the way for launching the second phase where the EU will check to see, for example, whether laws on issuing secure documents or controlling illegal immigration, are in place.
Commission president Jose Manual Barroso said, "While important work still lies ahead, this is a very concrete sign to the Ukrainian authorities and citizens that with perseverance the benefits of a closer association with the EU are real and tangible to all."
Improved travel ties are part of EU efforts to solidify political and economic ties with Ukraine.
20:59
27.5.2014
EC approves launch of second phase of visa liberalization process with #Ukraine http://t.co/nkZtrhXBFK pic.twitter.com/J1AmHmk1vx
— Kyiv Post (@KyivPost) May 27, 2014
20:58
27.5.2014
The danish government confirms that the missing OSCE observers in #Donetsk are detained by armed separatists. @CBCNews
— J-Francois Belanger (@belangerjf) May 27, 2014