11:28
21.4.2014
11:19
21.4.2014
Just discovered this YouTube video, posted on April 14, that shows a pro-Russian camp in Slovansk. One activist, as the title notes, offers a banana to U.S. President Barack Obama at around the 1:35 mark.
10:41
21.4.2014
10:39
21.4.2014
Today's pro-Russian mass rally in Kharkhiv did not get off to a rousing start ...
10:06
21.4.2014
RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service is live-streaming a pro-Russian rally in Kharkhiv:
10:02
21.4.2014
Some snippets from an interview Russian President Vladimir Putin gave to "Vesti on Saturday" on April 17, just after Putin's televised question-and-answer session. The full interview has been posted on the Russian presidential website.
Anchor Sergei Brilev: Mr. President, today for the first time you said that Russian military men were, after all, behind the Crimean self-defense forces.
President Putin: I have already hinted at that before.
Brilev: Has it already rained medals? Or will we forever remain in the dark regarding who it was?
Putin: I do not think we will find out in the short term, but the people will be rewarded by the state, that is for sure
...
Brilev: Mr. President, rumour has it that Viktor Yanukovych may appear in Ukraine for Easter. Is it true?
Putin: You will have to ask him.
...
Brilev: You told a wonderful story about the visit by [eds. outgoing NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh] Rasmussen back when he was the Danish prime minister.
Putin: No, he did not visit me. I went to Denmark.
Brilev: So he recorded your conversation?
Putin: Yes, he did.
Anchor Sergei Brilev: Mr. President, today for the first time you said that Russian military men were, after all, behind the Crimean self-defense forces.
President Putin: I have already hinted at that before.
Brilev: Has it already rained medals? Or will we forever remain in the dark regarding who it was?
Putin: I do not think we will find out in the short term, but the people will be rewarded by the state, that is for sure
...
Brilev: Mr. President, rumour has it that Viktor Yanukovych may appear in Ukraine for Easter. Is it true?
Putin: You will have to ask him.
...
Brilev: You told a wonderful story about the visit by [eds. outgoing NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh] Rasmussen back when he was the Danish prime minister.
Putin: No, he did not visit me. I went to Denmark.
Brilev: So he recorded your conversation?
Putin: Yes, he did.
09:44
21.4.2014
Russia has no plans to resume cheese and candy imports from Ukraine, according to Russia's chief sanitary doctor.
Anna Popova told journalists today that there had been no request from the Ukrainian side, so the "issue cannot be examined," according to Interfax.
On April 7 Russia banned supplies from six Ukrainian cheese producers, citing "serious violations." Earlier this week, Popova said the list of banned Ukrainian products could be expanded.
Anna Popova told journalists today that there had been no request from the Ukrainian side, so the "issue cannot be examined," according to Interfax.
On April 7 Russia banned supplies from six Ukrainian cheese producers, citing "serious violations." Earlier this week, Popova said the list of banned Ukrainian products could be expanded.
09:43
21.4.2014
More on Lavrov's remarks this morning from our news desk:
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said authorities in Kyiv are violating the terms of the Geneva declaration and accused Ukrainian authorities of not being able to, or not wanting to, control radical forces in eastern Ukraine.
At an April 21 press conference, Lavrov condemned the deadly shooting near the eastern Ukrainian city of Slovyansk the previous day and laid the blame for the attack on supporters of "those who seized power in Kyiv."
Lavrov also dismissed claims about large amounts of Russian weapons appearing in eastern Ukraine referring to Russian media reports that the attackers of a pro-Russian checkpoint near Slovyansk on April 20 were using "American weapons."
Lavrov accused Kyiv authorities of failing to remove "illegal protests" from the squares in the Ukrainian capital, something Lavrov said was also a violation of the Geneva agreements reached on April 17 at a meeting he attended with counterparts from Ukraine, the United States and European Union.
At an April 21 press conference, Lavrov condemned the deadly shooting near the eastern Ukrainian city of Slovyansk the previous day and laid the blame for the attack on supporters of "those who seized power in Kyiv."
Lavrov also dismissed claims about large amounts of Russian weapons appearing in eastern Ukraine referring to Russian media reports that the attackers of a pro-Russian checkpoint near Slovyansk on April 20 were using "American weapons."
Lavrov accused Kyiv authorities of failing to remove "illegal protests" from the squares in the Ukrainian capital, something Lavrov said was also a violation of the Geneva agreements reached on April 17 at a meeting he attended with counterparts from Ukraine, the United States and European Union.
09:36
21.4.2014
From Interfax:
Russia will not allow a bloody conflict in Ukraine, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
"There has been a surge in appeals to Russia for saving them from this outrage. We are being put into an extremely complex position," Lavrov told a press conference in Moscow on Monday.
"Those who are deliberately pursuing a civil war, possibly, in an attempt to start a big, serious bloody conflict, are pursuing a criminal policy. And we will not only condemn this policy but will also stop it," the minister said.
"There has been a surge in appeals to Russia for saving them from this outrage. We are being put into an extremely complex position," Lavrov told a press conference in Moscow on Monday.
"Those who are deliberately pursuing a civil war, possibly, in an attempt to start a big, serious bloody conflict, are pursuing a criminal policy. And we will not only condemn this policy but will also stop it," the minister said.
09:33
21.4.2014
An excerpt from Yulia Tymoshenko's official Easter message:
During Pope Francis's prayer for Ukraine this winter, two white doves were released to symbolize the hope for peace in our country. They were attacked by a seagull and large black crow, but our doves broke free and flew off into the sky. This is what will happen. Ukraine will break free and will build the society we all deserve!
I believe in this! I know it will happen.
Chris is Risen! Ukraine too shall rise!
I believe in this! I know it will happen.
Chris is Risen! Ukraine too shall rise!