11:14
1.5.2014
The pro-separatist crowd in Kharkiv is growing, apparently.
11:18
1.5.2014
From our newsroom:
The Kremlin press service on May 1 reported that German Chancellor Angela Merkel has asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to help free a team of OSCE observers that had been captured in eastern Ukraine.
The Kremlin said following phone talks between the two leaders, "Angela Merkel made a request to help facilitate the release of military observers from a number of European countries including Germany."
It added, "Both sides noted the importance of utilizing the mediating potential of the OSCE across Ukraine to the maximum degree."
Pro-Russian separatists who have been holding the group of OSCE observers since April 25 have said the captives are "NATO spies."
One of the eight original captives was released for medical reasons.
Earlier on May 1, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called for OSCE-sponsored talks between Kyiv and pro-Russian separatists in southeastern Ukraine.
The Kremlin said following phone talks between the two leaders, "Angela Merkel made a request to help facilitate the release of military observers from a number of European countries including Germany."
It added, "Both sides noted the importance of utilizing the mediating potential of the OSCE across Ukraine to the maximum degree."
Pro-Russian separatists who have been holding the group of OSCE observers since April 25 have said the captives are "NATO spies."
One of the eight original captives was released for medical reasons.
Earlier on May 1, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called for OSCE-sponsored talks between Kyiv and pro-Russian separatists in southeastern Ukraine.
11:29
1.5.2014
A quick detention at a Moscow rally against war and for Ukrainian sovereignty:
11:41
1.5.2014
11:41
1.5.2014
12:13
1.5.2014
Some real gems from May Day gatherings in the Russian capital from: Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin speaking to Russian journalists amid the May Day parade at Red Square in Moscow; Mikhail Shmakov, the president of the Federation of Trade Unions of Russia, addressing the Red Square rally; and Russian Communist Party leader Gennady Zyuganov addressing a separate rally of his supporters.
Sobyanin:
"This year the first of May is special -- for the first time in 24 years, trade unions are marching at Red Square. That's one thing. Secondly, it is the most attended event in recent years -- there are more than 100,000 participants. It's no accident -- patriotic sentiment is on the rise in the country, people are in a good mood."
A few estimates put the number of antigovernment demonstrators at the "For Fair Elections" event on Moscow's Bolotnaya Square in February 2012 well above 100,000, it should be noted.
Shmakov:
"Like never before, today the slogan that used to sound off at our May Day demonstrations is relevant as never before -- Peace, Labor, May. We demand peace -- peace in every country, peace in every city, peace in every family. We demand labor -- decent jobs and decent wages."
Zyuganov:
"First and foremost, let's congratulate the people of Sevastopol and Crimea on being reunited with us in celebrating the first of May. Cheers to Sevastopol and Crimea! Hurrah!"
"Today, America and NATO minions are working hard to drive a knife into the heart of the Slavic world. Their henchmen -- five Nazi ministers -- are running Kyiv, the mother of all Russian cities. But let me tell you, the solidarity of our nations, the solidarity of working people will not allow these vandals to run amuck."
"Lately, [Russian President Vladimir] Putin has been demonstrating more realism. For the first time he has started speaking of uniting the thousand-year history of our power land without dissecting it into imperial, Soviet, and current periods, saying we must tap into the best of our heritage. We support it."
Sobyanin:
"This year the first of May is special -- for the first time in 24 years, trade unions are marching at Red Square. That's one thing. Secondly, it is the most attended event in recent years -- there are more than 100,000 participants. It's no accident -- patriotic sentiment is on the rise in the country, people are in a good mood."
A few estimates put the number of antigovernment demonstrators at the "For Fair Elections" event on Moscow's Bolotnaya Square in February 2012 well above 100,000, it should be noted.
Shmakov:
"Like never before, today the slogan that used to sound off at our May Day demonstrations is relevant as never before -- Peace, Labor, May. We demand peace -- peace in every country, peace in every city, peace in every family. We demand labor -- decent jobs and decent wages."
Zyuganov:
"First and foremost, let's congratulate the people of Sevastopol and Crimea on being reunited with us in celebrating the first of May. Cheers to Sevastopol and Crimea! Hurrah!"
"Today, America and NATO minions are working hard to drive a knife into the heart of the Slavic world. Their henchmen -- five Nazi ministers -- are running Kyiv, the mother of all Russian cities. But let me tell you, the solidarity of our nations, the solidarity of working people will not allow these vandals to run amuck."
"Lately, [Russian President Vladimir] Putin has been demonstrating more realism. For the first time he has started speaking of uniting the thousand-year history of our power land without dissecting it into imperial, Soviet, and current periods, saying we must tap into the best of our heritage. We support it."
12:26
1.5.2014
Russia says Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk's proposal to hold a referendum on Ukraine's unity and territorial integrity is a "sham" that would only deepen the crisis in the country, according to Reuters and Interfax. The Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the plans were "cynical" given what it said were Kyiv's military operation against "it's own people."
Yatsenyuk on April 30 said the government would send to parliament a law on conducting a nationwide poll on Ukrainian unity and territorial integrity on May 25, when the country is also due to hold a presidential election. The Russian Foreign Ministry statement said such proposals "are divorced from reality."
Yatsenyuk on April 30 said the government would send to parliament a law on conducting a nationwide poll on Ukrainian unity and territorial integrity on May 25, when the country is also due to hold a presidential election. The Russian Foreign Ministry statement said such proposals "are divorced from reality."
12:52
1.5.2014
Things getting rough in Donetsk, where pro-Russians are rallying.
12:54
1.5.2014
12:55
1.5.2014
Not confirmed.