11:19
24.4.2014
Gazprom says Ukraine owes it an additional $11.4 billion, well beyond the previous $2.2 billion bill the Russian state-controlled gas monopoly slapped on the Ukrainian energy firm Naftohaz for gas supplies in 2013 and 2014, Reuters and Interfax report. Aleksandr Medvedev, Gazprom's deputy chief executive, said the new bill was a penalty for Naftohaz's failure to meet a "take-or-pay" clause in its gas supply contract with the Russian firm, which obliges customers to pay for gas regardless of whether they order the supplies. Russia says Naftohaz should have imported 41.6 billion cubic meters (bcm) under the 2013 contract terms but took only 12.9 bcm.
11:15
24.4.2014
10:54
24.4.2014
From AFP and Interfax via our newsroom:
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has accused the West of fomenting a popular revolt to "unconstitutionally change the regime" in Ukraine.
Speaking April 24 at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations, Lavrov charged the United States and the European Union with seeking to stage another "color revolution" in Ukraine with the ouster of former President Viktor Yanukovych in February.
He warned that Ukraine is being used as a "pawn in a geopolitical game" against Russia.
Lavrov, however, said a proposal by Russian President Vladimir Putin to start consultations between all parties to discuss stabilizing Ukraine's economy and gas supplies had found support among Russia's foreign partners.
He said Moscow expected "this support will be implemented in practical actions in the near future."
Speaking April 24 at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations, Lavrov charged the United States and the European Union with seeking to stage another "color revolution" in Ukraine with the ouster of former President Viktor Yanukovych in February.
He warned that Ukraine is being used as a "pawn in a geopolitical game" against Russia.
Lavrov, however, said a proposal by Russian President Vladimir Putin to start consultations between all parties to discuss stabilizing Ukraine's economy and gas supplies had found support among Russia's foreign partners.
He said Moscow expected "this support will be implemented in practical actions in the near future."
10:33
24.4.2014
Newsru.com challenges reports based on a Facebook page showing Russian Defense Ministry medals being minted to honor individuals for contributions to "the return of Crimea" and designating the date of the operation as February 20 to March 18.
10:22
24.4.2014
10:13
24.4.2014
10:03
24.4.2014
09:52
24.4.2014
Here's some more details from RFE/RL's news desk on the Ukrainian government's "antiterrorist" operations in the east:
The Ukrainian government said troops have repelled an attack by pro-Russian rebels on a military base in the east of the country.
Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said on Facebook on April 24 that the attack took place overnight at Artemivsk, located between Donetsk and Slovyansk.
Avakov said a soldier was wounded in the attack by about 70 separatists.
Avakov also said pro-Russian insurgents have vacated the town hall in Mariupol, on the Black Sea coast, and that the mayor was back in his office.
A local news website reported that five people who were occupying the building were injured in clashes with the police.
Pro-Russian activists and masked gunmen have been occupying government buildings across eastern Ukraine for nearly two weeks.
Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said on Facebook on April 24 that the attack took place overnight at Artemivsk, located between Donetsk and Slovyansk.
Avakov said a soldier was wounded in the attack by about 70 separatists.
Avakov also said pro-Russian insurgents have vacated the town hall in Mariupol, on the Black Sea coast, and that the mayor was back in his office.
A local news website reported that five people who were occupying the building were injured in clashes with the police.
Pro-Russian activists and masked gunmen have been occupying government buildings across eastern Ukraine for nearly two weeks.
09:49
24.4.2014
09:47
24.4.2014