Here's Tymchuk's post (in Ukrainian):
The United States has denounced what it called "bogus" plans by pro-Russia separatist groups in eastern Ukraine to conduct referendums on self-determination.
U.S. State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said "This is the Crimea play-book all over again," alluding to the referendum held in Crimea last March in which voters were asked whether to secede from Ukraine and join Russia.
Psaki said, "No civilized nation will recognize the results" of the referendums in Ukraine's Donetsk and Luhansk regions that pro-Russian separatist leaders controlling those two regions say will be held on May 11.
Psaki also warned that "if Russia takes the next step" and moves into eastern Ukraine and tries to annex it, "harsh EU and U.S. sanctions will follow."
According to @Sergey_Osadchiy there's fighting in Mariupol, locals say Ukrainian troops storm separatist positions pic.twitter.com/SrJUwH14xv
— Nikolaus von Twickel (@niktwick) May 6, 2014
#Belarus celebrates Victory Day strictly w/o St. George ribbons - only green-red ones (like official flag). Hmm... pic.twitter.com/KgJcrayGU9
— Natalia Melnychuk (@pravolivo) May 6, 2014
#Donetsk airport is back open for business as MAY flight PS0047 lands from Kiev. pic.twitter.com/NVWtF5DZFW
— Ed Brown (@edmunddbrown) May 6, 2014
One of #Akhmetov's companies announces it is increasing salaries for its workers. Timely
— Will Vernon (@BBCWillVernon) May 6, 2014
Dept chief cop of Ukraine told @A3AP the fire started inside. Something about a molotov falling down the stairwell. https://t.co/eklJGViIGv
— Roland Oliphant (@RolandOliphant) May 6, 2014
Which is weird, because for most of presser they were all "investigation continues." (1/2)
— Roland Oliphant (@RolandOliphant) May 6, 2014
And if it really is the line the police are taking, it is going to make a lot of people very angry.
— Roland Oliphant (@RolandOliphant) May 6, 2014
On the pro-Russian/anti-Maidan side, who are convinced it was an incoming molotov that started it.
— Roland Oliphant (@RolandOliphant) May 6, 2014
Merkel was asked by a journalist today about reports that Putin planned to be in Crimea for the commemoration of the end of the Second World War.
Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in March in violation of international law.
Merkel said May 9 was an important date for Russia to commemorate the defeat of Nazi Germany but she added, "I think it is a shame if such a day is used to hold a parade in such an area of conflict."
Russian media reported in April that Putin could attend the May 9 in Sevastopol, where Russia's Black Sea Fleet is based.