13:28
22.4.2014
Our multimedia department has just issued a video of U.S. Vice President Joe Biden's adress in Kyiv today:
13:32
22.4.2014
13:42
22.4.2014
"The Moscow Times" has an interesting report on how an Internet meme based on Crimea's "little green men" has now resulted in a patent battle. Read more here.
14:02
22.4.2014
Meanwhile, in Moscow, Dmitry Medvedev has been talking about gas supplies to Ukraine:
Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has told lawmakers that Russia will shift to a system of prepayment for gas supplies if Ukraine's debt remains unresolved.
Addressing Russia's State Duma, the lower house of parliament, on April 22, Medvedev said a prepayment system would be a "harsh but fair decision."
He also dismissed talk that supplies of gas from the United States could reduce Europe's reliance on Russian gas imports, calling such a suggestion a "bluff."
Medvedev also said continuing problems facing the global economy will impact Russia, adding that the "diplomatic climate" and domestic structural issues are also likely to have a negative effect.
Medvedev said the government is working to "minimize" the effects of international sanctions being imposed on the country since Russia annexed Crimea last month and pledged that "all social obligations will be fulfilled." (RFE/RL's news desk)
Addressing Russia's State Duma, the lower house of parliament, on April 22, Medvedev said a prepayment system would be a "harsh but fair decision."
He also dismissed talk that supplies of gas from the United States could reduce Europe's reliance on Russian gas imports, calling such a suggestion a "bluff."
Medvedev also said continuing problems facing the global economy will impact Russia, adding that the "diplomatic climate" and domestic structural issues are also likely to have a negative effect.
Medvedev said the government is working to "minimize" the effects of international sanctions being imposed on the country since Russia annexed Crimea last month and pledged that "all social obligations will be fulfilled." (RFE/RL's news desk)
14:04
22.4.2014
Here's our news desk's short precis of Biden's speech in Kyiv today:
U.S. Vice President Joe Biden has vowed support for Ukraine, which he said "is in a struggle for its very future."
Biden said the road ahead is difficult, but that Ukrainians "will not walk this road alone."
He was speaking on April 22 after talks in Kyiv with Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk.
Biden said "there are some who are trying to pull Ukraine apart," but he said Ukraine is and must remain one united country.
He also said it is time for Russia to fulfill its commitments to last week's Geneva agreement to end the crisis in eastern Ukraine.
"We will not allow this to become an open-ended process," he said.
For his part, Yatsenyuk said Ukraine's presidential election must go ahead next month. He said the country needs a legitimately elected president, a scenario which he said Russia does not want.
Biden said the road ahead is difficult, but that Ukrainians "will not walk this road alone."
He was speaking on April 22 after talks in Kyiv with Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk.
Biden said "there are some who are trying to pull Ukraine apart," but he said Ukraine is and must remain one united country.
He also said it is time for Russia to fulfill its commitments to last week's Geneva agreement to end the crisis in eastern Ukraine.
"We will not allow this to become an open-ended process," he said.
For his part, Yatsenyuk said Ukraine's presidential election must go ahead next month. He said the country needs a legitimately elected president, a scenario which he said Russia does not want.
14:22
22.4.2014
14:47
22.4.2014
15:49
22.4.2014
15:52
22.4.2014
15:53
22.4.2014