09:07
9.4.2014
08:48
9.4.2014
An update from our news desk on the occupied buildings in eastern Ukraine:
Ukrainiain Interior Minister Arsen Avakov says force will be used if negotiations fail to remove separatists from regional government buildings in eastern Ukraine.
Avakov told journalists in Kyiv after a government meeting on April 9 that the situation will be resolved in the next two days.
He said there are two ways to solve the problem, negotiations or force.
Hundreds of pro-Russia protesters stormed government buildings in Donetsk, Kharkiv, and Luhansk on April 6.
Separatists were expelled from the Kharkiv government building by special Ukrainian forces on April 8.
But protesters in Donetsk proclaimed the creation of a sovereign "people's republic" from within the regional government building and built barricades around the structure.
Early on April 9, the Ukrainian State Security Service (SBU) said some 51 people had left its headquarters in Luhansk.
Avakov told journalists in Kyiv after a government meeting on April 9 that the situation will be resolved in the next two days.
He said there are two ways to solve the problem, negotiations or force.
Hundreds of pro-Russia protesters stormed government buildings in Donetsk, Kharkiv, and Luhansk on April 6.
Separatists were expelled from the Kharkiv government building by special Ukrainian forces on April 8.
But protesters in Donetsk proclaimed the creation of a sovereign "people's republic" from within the regional government building and built barricades around the structure.
Early on April 9, the Ukrainian State Security Service (SBU) said some 51 people had left its headquarters in Luhansk.
07:55
9.4.2014
Interesting tweet from Geoffrey Pyatt, the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine regarding Russian military buildup.
07:31
9.4.2014
Via our Brussels correspondent Rikard Jozwiak, the European Commission is expected to establish a support group for Ukraine on April 9 to coordinate support from EU member states and financial institutions.
The group will be headed by EU enlargement commissioner Stefan Fuele. Other key members of the EU Commission will also be working in and for the group.
The primary task of the support group will be to work in close coordination with the Ukrainian authorities to stabilize the economy and assist with reforms.
Its work can also be extended to Georgia and Moldova, which still are on course to sign the association agreements with the EU in June.
The EU unveiled an aid program to Ukraine in March, promising at least 11 billion euro in grants and loans in the upcoming years. Work is also underway to host a donors conference in Brussels to further support Kyiv.
The primary task of the support group will be to work in close coordination with the Ukrainian authorities to stabilize the economy and assist with reforms.
Its work can also be extended to Georgia and Moldova, which still are on course to sign the association agreements with the EU in June.
The EU unveiled an aid program to Ukraine in March, promising at least 11 billion euro in grants and loans in the upcoming years. Work is also underway to host a donors conference in Brussels to further support Kyiv.
06:42
9.4.2014
Although now, according to ITAR-TASS, the protesters in the building in Luhansk are denying the SBU's claims that they've left.
06:39
9.4.2014
06:29
9.4.2014
06:11
9.4.2014
05:17
9.4.2014
The standoff in Luhansk appears to be ending. From our news desk:
Ukraine's state security service, the SBU, says more than 50 people have left a state security service building that had been seized by pro-Russia activists in eastern Ukraine.
On April 8, the SBU said that the protesters who seized the local headquarters of state security in Luhansk on April 6 had wired it with explosives and were holding 60 people hostage, though this was denied by the protesters themselves.
Early on April 9, the SBU said that 51 people had left the building without arms. It was unclear if they were protesters or hostages.
Interfax news agency later put this number at 56 and said negotiations were continuing between the protesters and local officials to end the occupation.
On April 8, the SBU said that the protesters who seized the local headquarters of state security in Luhansk on April 6 had wired it with explosives and were holding 60 people hostage, though this was denied by the protesters themselves.
Early on April 9, the SBU said that 51 people had left the building without arms. It was unclear if they were protesters or hostages.
Interfax news agency later put this number at 56 and said negotiations were continuing between the protesters and local officials to end the occupation.