08:51
15.5.2014
08:26
15.5.2014
From our news desk:
The OSCE has welcomed the launch of Ukraine's first national dialogue on constitutional reform and the crisis in the country's east.
Swiss Foreign Minister Didier Burkhalter, who is the OSCE's chairman in office, said the roundtable meeting in Kyiv on May 14 "allowed for constructive and engaged discussions and set the tone for the following editions to take place in the regions."
The talks were attended by former leaders, government officials, and lawmakers -- but not pro-Russian separatists waging an armed insurgency in the east.
Burkhalter expressed hope that an "inclusive national dialogue" would help stabilize the political situation ahead of a presidential election set for May 25.
Acting President Oleksandr Turchynov said the government is ready for dialogue but will not bow to "blackmail" by pro-Russia rebels.
Meanwhile, Interfax quotes the Ukrainian Defense Ministry as saying an offensive against the rebels is under way near Kramatorsk. (Interfax and ITAR-TASS)
Swiss Foreign Minister Didier Burkhalter, who is the OSCE's chairman in office, said the roundtable meeting in Kyiv on May 14 "allowed for constructive and engaged discussions and set the tone for the following editions to take place in the regions."
The talks were attended by former leaders, government officials, and lawmakers -- but not pro-Russian separatists waging an armed insurgency in the east.
Burkhalter expressed hope that an "inclusive national dialogue" would help stabilize the political situation ahead of a presidential election set for May 25.
Acting President Oleksandr Turchynov said the government is ready for dialogue but will not bow to "blackmail" by pro-Russia rebels.
Meanwhile, Interfax quotes the Ukrainian Defense Ministry as saying an offensive against the rebels is under way near Kramatorsk. (Interfax and ITAR-TASS)
08:12
15.5.2014
The Crimean Desk of our Ukrainian Service is reporting that farmers in the peninsula are suffering water shortages after being cut off from the water previously supplied from the Ukrainian mainland (in Russian here).
08:04
15.5.2014
Has the Kremlin driven Ukrainians to the West?
07:23
15.5.2014
07:22
15.5.2014
07:21
15.5.2014
Chaos reigns in eastern Ukraine:
07:18
15.5.2014
From our news desk:
The prime ministers of four Central European countries, as well as NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, are scheduled to speak in Bratislava on May 15 at a major security conference, called Globsec 2014.
The three-day event is largely focused on dealing with security threats posed by the Ukraine-Russia crisis.
The May 15 agenda begins with a panel session bringing together the prime ministers of Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. It is titled “Visegrad Up: Finding Common Grounds in Times of Crisis.”
Rasmussen's keynote speech is titled “Standing Up For Freedom and Security.”
Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk was scheduled to speak on May 15, the second day of the conference, but has reportedly canceled his visit. (AP, Reuters, ITAR-TASS)
The three-day event is largely focused on dealing with security threats posed by the Ukraine-Russia crisis.
The May 15 agenda begins with a panel session bringing together the prime ministers of Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. It is titled “Visegrad Up: Finding Common Grounds in Times of Crisis.”
Rasmussen's keynote speech is titled “Standing Up For Freedom and Security.”
Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk was scheduled to speak on May 15, the second day of the conference, but has reportedly canceled his visit. (AP, Reuters, ITAR-TASS)
22:08
14.5.2014
Barring any late breaking developments, this ends our live-blogging for May 14. Follow our latest Ukraine coverage here and here.
21:24
14.5.2014
More on the "pot calling the kettle black" nature of Moscow's accusations of rampant anti-Semitism in Ukraine: