14:31
26.4.2014
14:32
26.4.2014
More from press conference of Slovyansk's self-proclaimed "mayor."
14:37
26.4.2014
Acting Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Koval says Ukraine may reinstate conscription, Interfax reports.
The Armed Forces of Ukraine could return military conscription, acting Defense Minister Mykhailo Koval has stated.
"The army will be professional - this is the future of the Armed Forces. But now the Armed Forces are not ready for this. Therefore we might have to return 21-23-years-old men for a while, and they will serve the state," he told reporters in Kyiv on Saturday.
According to Koval, the reckless policy of transition to contract service showed its negative sides, in particular, in Crimea.
"If there were conscripts there [in military units], then the situation might be different," the minister said.
In addition, the minister said the Armed Forces of Ukraine have not created a good base for training and life-support of contract soldiers.
"The army will be professional - this is the future of the Armed Forces. But now the Armed Forces are not ready for this. Therefore we might have to return 21-23-years-old men for a while, and they will serve the state," he told reporters in Kyiv on Saturday.
According to Koval, the reckless policy of transition to contract service showed its negative sides, in particular, in Crimea.
"If there were conscripts there [in military units], then the situation might be different," the minister said.
In addition, the minister said the Armed Forces of Ukraine have not created a good base for training and life-support of contract soldiers.
14:45
26.4.2014
Pro-Russia demo in Odesa draws about 500 people.
14:45
26.4.2014
14:47
26.4.2014
Seems like a fair question, asked at the presser of Slovyansk's self-proclaimed "mayor."
14:49
26.4.2014
Funny pair of tweets from ABC News' Matt McGarry:
14:55
26.4.2014
Here's AFP's latest wrap of comments today by Denis Pushilin, the self-proclaimed head of the Donetsk Republic:
DONETSK, Ukraine, April 26, 2014 (AFP) - The head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk Republic on Saturday vowed to go ahead with a referendum on independence for the separatist region in eastern Ukraine next month.
Denis Pushilin told reporters that a popular vote on a "declaration of independence" would be held on May 11, despite major doubts over the logistics and legitimacy of such a referendum.
The question asked would be "Do you approve of the declaration of independence of the People's Republic of Donetsk?" said Pushilin.
After the referendum, there would be elections to decide who would lead the region, he said.
"Then, our People's Republic of Donetsk can start to function again," he said.
"We will see what the best deal is for our relations with the rest of Ukraine -- whether we have a federation, a confederation or independence."
He described the referendum as "inevitable" and said there was "all the money needed to organise it".
Political analysts have voiced doubts over whether the self-proclaimed leaders of the separatist region have the resources -- especially financial -- to mount such a referendum.
Unlike March's disputed referendum in Crimea, in which nearly 97 percent of voters opted for Kremlin rule, pro-Russian protesters in Ukraine's east are not seen as well enough equipped to organise a large popular vote.
Denis Pushilin told reporters that a popular vote on a "declaration of independence" would be held on May 11, despite major doubts over the logistics and legitimacy of such a referendum.
The question asked would be "Do you approve of the declaration of independence of the People's Republic of Donetsk?" said Pushilin.
After the referendum, there would be elections to decide who would lead the region, he said.
"Then, our People's Republic of Donetsk can start to function again," he said.
"We will see what the best deal is for our relations with the rest of Ukraine -- whether we have a federation, a confederation or independence."
He described the referendum as "inevitable" and said there was "all the money needed to organise it".
Political analysts have voiced doubts over whether the self-proclaimed leaders of the separatist region have the resources -- especially financial -- to mount such a referendum.
Unlike March's disputed referendum in Crimea, in which nearly 97 percent of voters opted for Kremlin rule, pro-Russian protesters in Ukraine's east are not seen as well enough equipped to organise a large popular vote.
15:01
26.4.2014
Photo from the barricades in Kramatorsk. The sign reads: "Ukraine Is Rus."
15:13
26.4.2014
Photo of medals for the "return of Crimea." The medal reads: Defense Ministry of the Russian Ferderation. For the Return of Crimea. February 20, 2014 - March 18, 2014"
See RFE/RL's report on the medals here.
See RFE/RL's report on the medals here.