11:09
14.5.2014
'Donetsk People's Republic' men blockading military unit in Donetsk http://t.co/7V5N6iKncP
— Kyiv Post (@KyivPost) May 14, 2014
12:09
14.5.2014
Amazing advertisement for Darth Vader's Odessa mayoral campaign. "Law man. Politician. Father." pic.twitter.com/OH4erqRyUl
— Kevin Rothrock (@KevinRothrock) May 14, 2014
13:11
14.5.2014
Meanwhile, Sergei Lavrov has been giving an interview to an American television station. Our news desk has this precis of what he said:
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says Ukraine is "as close to a civil war as you can get."
In a May 14 interview with Bloomberg TV, Lavrov, also said "a real war" was going on in eastern and southern Ukraine, making it difficult to hold a free and fair presidential election later this month.
Lavrov said that for a national dialogue to succeed, "it is absolutely necessary to ensure equal participation of all regions of Ukraine."
Armed separatists in eastern Ukraine are not included in roundtable talks beginning on May 14 in Kyiv.
Lavrov also said that Russia has "no intention" of sending its troops anywhere.
Ukraine's pro-Western government and its allies accuse Russia -- which annexed Crimea in March -- of stoking unrest in the east of the country and massing troops on the border.
In a May 14 interview with Bloomberg TV, Lavrov, also said "a real war" was going on in eastern and southern Ukraine, making it difficult to hold a free and fair presidential election later this month.
Lavrov said that for a national dialogue to succeed, "it is absolutely necessary to ensure equal participation of all regions of Ukraine."
Armed separatists in eastern Ukraine are not included in roundtable talks beginning on May 14 in Kyiv.
Lavrov also said that Russia has "no intention" of sending its troops anywhere.
Ukraine's pro-Western government and its allies accuse Russia -- which annexed Crimea in March -- of stoking unrest in the east of the country and massing troops on the border.
13:31
14.5.2014
13:32
14.5.2014
Especially on using the term "terrorist" to describe pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine:
13:38
14.5.2014
13:55
14.5.2014
Reports of the latest abduction in Luhansk:
13:56
14.5.2014
Kyiv roundtable video feed:
or here:
or here:
14:13
14.5.2014
14:25
14.5.2014
Our news desk has updated the story on today's roundtable talks:
The Ukrainian government has launched roundtable talks in an effort to de-escalate the crisis in the country's east.
The May 14 talks are attended by former leaders, government officials and lawmakers -- but not pro-Russia separatists waging an armed insurgency in the east of the country.
Acting President Oleksander Turchynov opening the talks said that the government is ready for a dialogue with the regions, but will not bow to "blackmail" by the pro-Russia armed rebels.
Turchynov said, "Those with weapons in hand who are waging a war against their own country and dictating the will of a neighboring country will answer before the law. "
The talks are being chaired by Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk
The talks in Kyiv are based on a road map presented by the OSCE.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said the more representatives were present at the talks, the better. But she also said only those who reject violence should participate.
Russia has voiced support for the OSCE plan, but it has also accused Ukraine's pro-Western government of refusing "real dialogue" with the rebels in eastern Ukraine.
The May 14 talks are attended by former leaders, government officials and lawmakers -- but not pro-Russia separatists waging an armed insurgency in the east of the country.
Acting President Oleksander Turchynov opening the talks said that the government is ready for a dialogue with the regions, but will not bow to "blackmail" by the pro-Russia armed rebels.
Turchynov said, "Those with weapons in hand who are waging a war against their own country and dictating the will of a neighboring country will answer before the law. "
The talks are being chaired by Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk
The talks in Kyiv are based on a road map presented by the OSCE.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said the more representatives were present at the talks, the better. But she also said only those who reject violence should participate.
Russia has voiced support for the OSCE plan, but it has also accused Ukraine's pro-Western government of refusing "real dialogue" with the rebels in eastern Ukraine.