16:24
22.4.2014
16:40
22.4.2014
News is coming in on the wires about the mission of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in Donetsk:
The OSCE’s chief mediator says he has held "constructive" talks with leaders of pro-Russian separatists who are occupying public buildings in the Ukrainian eastern city of Donetsk.
However, no breakthrough was reported in respect to persuading the activists to disarm and evacuate the buildings they have seized, as called for in the international agreement on de-escalation in Ukraine that was signed last week.
Mark Etherington was quoted by the Reuters news agency today as saying that his OSCE team had "useful" talks with representatives of the group occupying the Donetsk regional administration building, the mayor of Donetsk, and the Donetsk police chief.
Etherington met yesterday with pro-Russian separatists in Slovyansk.
Pro-Russian groups are holding public buildings in about 10 towns of the mainly Russian-speaking east.
The OSCE has been charged with overseeing implementation of the Geneva agreement that was signed April 17 by Ukraine's government, Russia, the United States, and the European Union.
Ukraine and Russia have accused each other of failing to implement the accord.
However, no breakthrough was reported in respect to persuading the activists to disarm and evacuate the buildings they have seized, as called for in the international agreement on de-escalation in Ukraine that was signed last week.
Mark Etherington was quoted by the Reuters news agency today as saying that his OSCE team had "useful" talks with representatives of the group occupying the Donetsk regional administration building, the mayor of Donetsk, and the Donetsk police chief.
Etherington met yesterday with pro-Russian separatists in Slovyansk.
Pro-Russian groups are holding public buildings in about 10 towns of the mainly Russian-speaking east.
The OSCE has been charged with overseeing implementation of the Geneva agreement that was signed April 17 by Ukraine's government, Russia, the United States, and the European Union.
Ukraine and Russia have accused each other of failing to implement the accord.
16:43
22.4.2014
16:47
22.4.2014
Elsewhere, in his annual address to the nation, Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka has told his compatriots to "learn from the mistakes" of their neighbors.
Lukashenka specifically mentioned Ukraine, saying it is in crisis for two reasons -- "a weak economy and pervasive corruption."
Read more here
Lukashenka specifically mentioned Ukraine, saying it is in crisis for two reasons -- "a weak economy and pervasive corruption."
Read more here
16:49
22.4.2014
17:04
22.4.2014
17:56
22.4.2014
Denial in Crimea that Crimean Tatar leader Dzhemilev was banned from entering region:
17:58
22.4.2014
Confirmation journalist being held in Slovyansk:
18:15
22.4.2014
From our news desk:
Reports say a Ukrainian military surveillance plane came under small-arms fire as it flew over a rebel-held town in eastern Ukraine.
The incident reportedly occured over the town of Slovyansk on April 22.
The AFP news agency quotes an unnamed Defense Ministry spokesman as saying the plane, a propellor-driven Antonov An-30, was hit and damaged in the incident.
It also quotes a ministry statement saying the plane safely made an emergency landing. None of its crew members was hurt.
No confirmation of this report was available.
Pro-Moscow insurgents holding Slovyansk and other eastern towns have been ignoring the Geneva agreement signed last week between Ukraine, Russia, the United States and the European Union.
The deal calls for illegal armed groups to surrender their weapons and leave public buildings they occupy. (AFP and UNIAN)
The incident reportedly occured over the town of Slovyansk on April 22.
The AFP news agency quotes an unnamed Defense Ministry spokesman as saying the plane, a propellor-driven Antonov An-30, was hit and damaged in the incident.
It also quotes a ministry statement saying the plane safely made an emergency landing. None of its crew members was hurt.
No confirmation of this report was available.
Pro-Moscow insurgents holding Slovyansk and other eastern towns have been ignoring the Geneva agreement signed last week between Ukraine, Russia, the United States and the European Union.
The deal calls for illegal armed groups to surrender their weapons and leave public buildings they occupy. (AFP and UNIAN)
18:24
22.4.2014