Report on Russia's consular visit to detained Russian suspects:
Russia's consul in Kyiv has visited two suspected Russian soldiers who were captured in eastern Ukraine.
Russian Embassy spokesman Oleg Grishin said on May 27 that Yevgeny Yerofeyev and Aleksandr Aleksandrov "feel well."
The two men, who are being treated at a Kyiv hospital, have been charged with involvement in "terrorist activity."
In a video published on May 22, they repeated assertions that they were on active duty with the Russian military in eastern Ukraine when they were captured on May 16.
Moscow says Yerofeyev and Aleksandrov were no longer employed by the state when they were captured.
Russia denies accusations by Kyiv and the West that it is providing weapons, training, and personnel to rebels in eastern Ukraine who are involved in a conflict that has killed more than 6,100 people since April 2014. (TASS, Interfax)
This ends our live blogging for May 26. Be sure to check back tomorrow for our continuing coverage.
Le Pen: France, 'Under Influence' Of U.S., Put Sanctions On Russia
France's right-wing party leader Marine Le Pen has blamed the United States for influencing France to impose sanctions on Russia, in a move which led to Russia's cancellation of the coveted Mistral contract.
Following a meeting with Russian State Duma Chairman Sergei Naryshkin, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Le Pen said France has been "susceptible very much to the United States' influence."
"The U.S. played an important role in the adoption of [the European Union's] sanctions against Russia," said the National Front party leader.
U.S. pressure on France also led to Russia's cancellation of the $1.5 billion contract for Mistral amphibious assault ships and French leaders' refusal to attend Victory Day celebrations in Moscow May 9, she suggested.
"The decisions that have been made on the Mistrals, the incomprehensible behavior regarding their refusal to take part in the recent commemorative events -- I think this is real obedience to the U.S.'s position," she said.
Le Pen said she hoped "France will regain its freedom of expression and democratic freedom."