17:44
6.6.2014
French President Francois Hollande tells D-Day veteran "we made Ukraine and Russia talk" and says he wants ceremony "to be useful"
— Sky News Newsdesk (@SkyNewsBreak) June 6, 2014
18:10
6.6.2014
White House official says Obama told Putin that if #Russia works with new Ukrainian Government there could be openings to reduce tensions
— Sky News Newsdesk (@SkyNewsBreak) June 6, 2014
19:25
6.6.2014
Our news desk has issued this item on reports of heavy fighting near Slovyansk:
WATCH: A video purportedly showing the downing of a Ukrainian surveillance plane
Ukrainian security forces have reportedly been engaged in heavy fighting against pro-Russian separatists near the town of Slovyansk in eastern Ukraine.
Deputy Interior Minister Serhiy Sarovy said on June 6 that separatists who had taken up a position in a church near Slovyansk launched a mortar attack on a security checkpoint.
One police officer was killed and two injured in that attack.
The separatists also claim they shot down a Ukrainian surveillance aircraft near Slovyansk.
Purported amateur video footage posted on the Internet appeared to show an aircraft falling down, one of its engines on fire.
The reports claimed that the An-30 surveillance plane came down a few kilometers east of the city.
The claims could not be immediately confirmed.
Deputy Interior Minister Serhiy Sarovy said on June 6 that separatists who had taken up a position in a church near Slovyansk launched a mortar attack on a security checkpoint.
One police officer was killed and two injured in that attack.
The separatists also claim they shot down a Ukrainian surveillance aircraft near Slovyansk.
Purported amateur video footage posted on the Internet appeared to show an aircraft falling down, one of its engines on fire.
The reports claimed that the An-30 surveillance plane came down a few kilometers east of the city.
The claims could not be immediately confirmed.
WATCH: A video purportedly showing the downing of a Ukrainian surveillance plane
19:56
6.6.2014
Watch this: looks like Merkel literally forced Putin & Poroshenko to talk to each other https://t.co/bZ8GSsF935
— Maxim Eristavi (@MaximEristavi) June 6, 2014
20:46
6.6.2014
RFE/RL's news desk has another update about the informal talks in France earlier today:
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said Ukraine's President-elect Petro Poroshenko has "the right approach" to the crisis in eastern Ukraine.
Putin and Poroshenko met on the sidelines of the June 6 D-Day anniversary events in France, their first meeting since Poroshenko was elected president of Ukraine on May 25.
Putin later told reporters that during the 15-minute meeting, he and Poroshenko discussed the main issues related to settling the crisis.
Poroshenko separately told reporters that he sees "good chances" of successful dialogue with Russia.
Putin also spoke with U.S. President Barack Obama at the D-Day ceremonies.
Ben Rhodes, a deputy U.S. national security advisor, said Obama indicated that if Russia engaged with the new government in Kyiv, "there could be openings to reduce tensions."
Putin and Poroshenko met on the sidelines of the June 6 D-Day anniversary events in France, their first meeting since Poroshenko was elected president of Ukraine on May 25.
Putin later told reporters that during the 15-minute meeting, he and Poroshenko discussed the main issues related to settling the crisis.
Poroshenko separately told reporters that he sees "good chances" of successful dialogue with Russia.
Putin also spoke with U.S. President Barack Obama at the D-Day ceremonies.
Ben Rhodes, a deputy U.S. national security advisor, said Obama indicated that if Russia engaged with the new government in Kyiv, "there could be openings to reduce tensions."
22:01
6.6.2014
Reports of explosions and shooting at #Donetsk airport
— Alec Luhn (@ASLuhn) June 6, 2014
22:07
6.6.2014
Here's a transcript of an interesting exchange between French President Francois Hollande and an unidentified war veteran speaking today during the D-Day commemoration ceremony in Normandy. Their talk was picked up by microphones and cameras during the live televised event and a video of the brief discussion was published with subtitles on the Sky News website.
Veteran: Was [Russian President Vladimir] Putin there, was he friendly?
Hollande: Yes, we talked to him and with [Ukrainian President-elect Petro] Poroshenko. We brought Ukraine and Russia together.
Veteran: Did they speak with [U.S. President Barack] Obama?
Hollande: Yes, they spoke.
Veteran: Is it going to work?
Hollande: It must work. We want this ceremony to be useful to the world. Of course we want to commemorate your fight and your courage.
Veteran: I spoke to [Britain's] Prince Philip and apparently he was going to talk to Putin.
Hollande: Yes, he was there as well.
Hollande: Yes, we talked to him and with [Ukrainian President-elect Petro] Poroshenko. We brought Ukraine and Russia together.
Veteran: Did they speak with [U.S. President Barack] Obama?
Hollande: Yes, they spoke.
Veteran: Is it going to work?
Hollande: It must work. We want this ceremony to be useful to the world. Of course we want to commemorate your fight and your courage.
Veteran: I spoke to [Britain's] Prince Philip and apparently he was going to talk to Putin.
Hollande: Yes, he was there as well.
22:54
6.6.2014
so much for end to bloodshed. #ukraine interior min says will destroy "brutes ... like mad dogs" http://t.co/BR9aE510nk
— James Marson (@marson_jr) June 6, 2014
22:54
6.6.2014
So #Obama and #Putin did meet, and even exchanged some words and awkward facial expressions. https://t.co/BhixkX0Vo6 via @Elysee #DDay70
— Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) June 6, 2014
23:19
6.6.2014
Barring any dramatic developments we are now closing our live blog for today. Don't forget that you can find all our ongoing Ukraine coverage here.