We are now closing the live blog for today, but we'll be back again tomorrow morning to follow all the latest developments. Until then, you can keep up with all our other Ukraine coverage here.
Before we go, we'll leave you this video, which is bound to be of interest to Ukraine-watchers everywhere:
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The HBO miniseries, Chernobyl, dramatizes the world's worst civilian nuclear accident. But how realistic is its portrayal of the 1986 disaster? Former Chernobyl workers weigh in with their reviews.
Kyiv Tells ICJ Russia Failed To Stop 'Terrorism' In Eastern Ukraine
THE HAGUE -- Ukraine has argued before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that Russia has failed to prevent "terrorist acts" by the separatists Moscow is backing in the country’s east.
Ukrainian representatives made the accusation on June 4, the second day of arguments in Kyiv’s case over Moscow’s seizure of Ukraine's Crimea region and its support for the separatists in the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk.
Fighting between the militants and Ukrainian government forces has killed some 13,000 people there since April 2014, shortly after Russia seized control of the Crimean Peninsula.
"Did [Russia] stop the financing of terrorism in Ukraine? No. Did it help us find the authors of terrorist acts? No," Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Olena Zerkal told the court in The Hague, Netherlands.
Zerkal cited the downing of Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17 by a missile over the conflict zone in July 2014, as well as bomb and rocket attacks on residential districts, adding: "Hundreds of people have been killed or wounded, thousands have been intimidated."
Ukraine filed the case at the ICJ in January 2017, accusing Russia of violating the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.
It said Moscow had stepped up its interference in Ukraine's affairs since 2014, "intervening militarily...financing acts of terrorism, and violating the human rights of millions of Ukraine's citizens, including, for all too many, their right to life."
The case also includes claims of Russian involvement in the downing of MH17 in which all 298 people on board the passenger jet were killed.
Russia denies involvement in the tragedy.
However, an international investigative team has determined that the Buk missile that struck the aircraft came from Russia's 53rd Antiaircraft Missile Brigade and was fired from territory held by the separatists.
On June 3, the Russian representatives called on the ICJ to dismiss the case, arguing that Kyiv had failed to produce new evidence to show that Russia was involved in funneling arms and money to the separatists and in the shooting down of MH17.
"Russia denies what the whole world knows” Zerkal said. “It is seeking to clear itself of its responsibility."
The ICJ will hear a second round of arguments on June 6-7.
With reporting by AFP
Ukrainian President Says He's Open To Peace Talks With Russia, Commits To NATO Membership
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has said he is ready to negotiate with Russia to end the war in eastern Ukraine, but he also reaffirmed his country’s course toward NATO membership -- a move strongly opposed by Moscow.
Zelenskiy made the comments on June 4 during a visit to Brussels, where he met with top European Union and NATO officials as part of his first foreign trip as president.
Fighting between government forces and Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine has killed some 13,000 people since April 2014, shortly after Russia seized control of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula.
Cease-fire deals announced as part of the Minsk accords in September 2014 and February 2015 have contributed to a decrease in fighting in the eastern provinces of Donetsk and Luhansk but have failed to hold.
"We are ready to hold negotiations with Russia [and] to implement the Minsk agreements. But first we must be capable to protect ourselves and get stronger economically, politically, and militarily," Zelenskiy said at a joint press conference with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg at the alliance's headquarters.
Zelenskiy also said that Ukraine's "strategic course to achieve full-fledged membership in the EU and NATO" remained unchanged.
Moscow has made explicit its opposition to NATO’s further expansion, especially as regards to Ukraine and Georgia. Tbilisi is also seeking to become a member of the Western military alliance.
Calling Ukraine a "highly valued partner," Stoltenberg expressed NATO's support for the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, saying: "Allies do not, and will not, recognize Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea."
The NATO chief also called on Ukraine to implement reforms on fighting corruption and strengthening the rule of law.
"These reforms are essential to ensure security and prosperity for all Ukrainians and to bring Ukraine closer to NATO," he said.
Zelenskiy is scheduled to attend a session of the NATO-Ukraine Commission later in the day. The commission is the key format for cooperation between Kyiv and NATO.
A comedian-actor with no political experience, Zelenskiy was inaugurated on May 20 after defeating incumbent Petro Poroshenko by a large margin.
In addition to the conflict in the east and Russia's occupation of Crimea, Ukraine faces entrenched corruption and major economic hurdles.