16:19
20.4.2014
16:03
20.4.2014
The mood certainly darker in #Slavyansk than couple of days ago. Western journalists now unwelcome; Russian TV, by contrast, free to report
— Luke Harding (@lukeharding1968) April 20, 2014
15:50
20.4.2014
...the first answer that comes to my mind is that the Maidan represents love -- an endless and unconditional love for your country. I spoke to many people there, and nobody mentioned any financial gain. People told me about how they stood on the Maidan [Independence Square], how they fought, and how they carried the wounded. Young girls told me about the experience of a lifetime they had -- bandaging the wounded, helping doctors. This was all an act of pure love.
Read the full interview here.
15:42
20.4.2014
Two US senators urge #Obama to impose tougher sanctions on #Russia now; #Ukraine http://t.co/cSQZXpTj5R
— KyivPost (@KyivPost) April 20, 2014
Thanks to @SenBobCorker and @ChrisMurphyCT for your strong focus on #Ukraine http://t.co/mg3Xck4Tsj
— Geoffrey Pyatt (@GeoffPyatt) April 20, 2014
15:13
20.4.2014
My colleagues in eastern #Ukraine say foreign journos blocked from entry to Sloviansk by aggressive pro-Russia militants on town outskirts.
— Douglas Herbert (@dougf24) April 20, 2014
14:50
20.4.2014
#RightSector spox Artem Skoropadsky tells @5channel #Putin's propaganda leaves #Hitler behind, dismisses claims of involvement in #Slovyansk
— Myroslava Petsa (@myroslavapetsa) April 20, 2014
14:49
20.4.2014
WaPo's take on my @CNNsotu interview http://t.co/xyE1viTapi
— Geoffrey Pyatt (@GeoffPyatt) April 20, 2014
14:20
20.4.2014
Tire barricades erected by pro-Russian activists in the eastern city of Yenakiyevo not protecting anyone.
13:01
20.4.2014
The latest casualty figures being reported, this time from Interfax citing the Donetsk Oblast branch of the Ukrainian Interior Ministry, says three people from the "People's Republic of Donetsk" were killed and three wounded in today's shoot-out.
The report says the incident occurred at about 2:20 a.m. near the village of Bylbasivka (Bylbasovka), outside Slovyansk. Interfax reports that one of the victims was born in 1957 and another in 1972, describing both as local residents.
Bylbasivka is located about 2 kilometers west of Slovyansk.
Ukrainian authorities have claimed that one person was killed and three injured in an exchange of gunfire.
Russia's Rossiya 24 television channel said five people were killed; three people manning the checkpoint and two of the attackers.
The report says the incident occurred at about 2:20 a.m. near the village of Bylbasivka (Bylbasovka), outside Slovyansk. Interfax reports that one of the victims was born in 1957 and another in 1972, describing both as local residents.
Bylbasivka is located about 2 kilometers west of Slovyansk.
Ukrainian authorities have claimed that one person was killed and three injured in an exchange of gunfire.
Russia's Rossiya 24 television channel said five people were killed; three people manning the checkpoint and two of the attackers.
12:45
20.4.2014
Meanwhile, in the Vatican (from RFE/RL's news desk)...
Pope Francis has called for an end to violence in Ukraine during his Easter sermon at the Vatican today.
In a prayer, the pope asked God to "enlighten and inspire the initiatives that promote peace in Ukraine."
The pontiff also called for peace around the world.
He asked the estimated 150,000 people who gathered on St. Peter's Square to pray for those caught in conflicts in Syria, Nigeria, Iraq, South Sudan, and for peace between Palestinians and Israelis.
"We ask you, Lord Jesus, to put an end to all war and every conflict, whether great or small, ancient or recent," Francis said.
The pope finished his speech with the traditional Urbi et Orbi (To the City and the World) blessings, and wished the crowd a Happy Easter in Italian, before saying "have a good lunch, and goodbye."
In a prayer, the pope asked God to "enlighten and inspire the initiatives that promote peace in Ukraine."
The pontiff also called for peace around the world.
He asked the estimated 150,000 people who gathered on St. Peter's Square to pray for those caught in conflicts in Syria, Nigeria, Iraq, South Sudan, and for peace between Palestinians and Israelis.
"We ask you, Lord Jesus, to put an end to all war and every conflict, whether great or small, ancient or recent," Francis said.
The pope finished his speech with the traditional Urbi et Orbi (To the City and the World) blessings, and wished the crowd a Happy Easter in Italian, before saying "have a good lunch, and goodbye."