Live Blog: Ukraine In Crisis (Archive)

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.

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.

RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service is live-streaming a pro-Russian rally in Kharkhiv:

Today's pro-Russian mass rally in Kharkhiv did not get off to a rousing start ...

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.