Russia: EU Does Not Want Ukraine Truce To Hold
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has accused "someone in the European Union" of trying to ensure that a cease-fire in eastern Ukraine fails.
Officials from Russia, Ukraine, and the OSCE are expected to convene for an emergency meeting in Minsk on May 6 to discuss the implementation of the cease-fire agreed in the Belarusian capital, Minsk, on February 12.
Lavrov, at a news conference in Moscow, accused the EU of turning a blind eye to attacks which have killed civilians in rebel-held areas.
"Judging by certain signs, someone in the European Union wants the EU to allow the Ukrainian government not to implement the Minsk agreements," he said after talks with Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz.
He also described what he called increased military activity by Ukrainian forces in recent weeks as an attempt to tear up the cease-fire accord.
The EU did not immediately respond to Lavrov's remarks.
In Kyiv, Ukrainian military spokesman Andriy Lysenko said the separatists were building up military equipment for more attacks.
Based on reporting by Reuters and Interfax
U.S. Concerned Over 'Callous' Treatment Of Savchenko
By RFE/RL
The United States said it is concerned over the “callous and outrageous” treatment by Russia of detained Ukrainian pilot and parliament member Nadia Savchenko.
Speaking at a May 5 news briefing in Washington, State Department spokesperson Jeff Rathke called on Russia to release Savchenko and all other “hostages” immediately.
“We reiterate our serious concerns over her treatment in detention and reports that she is gravely ill while she remains a hostage to Russian authorities," Rathke said.
Earlier on May 5, Savchenko's lawyer said on Twitter that Russian authorities have extended the preliminary inquiry into Savchenko's case until November 13. A decision on the expected extension of her detention is due to be taken May 6.
Savchenko has been jailed in Russia since July, when she says she was illegally brought into the country after being abducted by separatists in Ukraine. She is charged with complicity in the killing of two Russian journalists who died in the conflict in eastern Ukraine, as well as illegal border crossing.
She denies guilt and conducted a hunger strike for more than 80 days to protest her incarceration.
That concludes our live-blogging of the Ukraine crisis for Tuesday, May 5. Thanks for reading. Check back here tomorrow morning for more of our continuing coverage.