17:42
14.4.2014
17:42
14.4.2014
17:41
14.4.2014
From our news desk:
France says President Francois Hollande has spoken with his U.S. counterpart, Barack Obama, about further Western sanctions against Russia.
An April 14 statement released by Hollande's office said the two presidents shared concerns about recent violence in eastern Ukraine, where pro-Russian groups have seized and occupied government buildings.
Hollande said he hoped a meeting planned for April 17 with representatives from Ukraine, Russia, the United States, and the European Union could "start a dialogue" to ease tensions.
Hollande also discussed possible future measures against Moscow with British Prime Minister David Cameron.
Western states have threatened to impose further sanctions on Russia over last month's annexation of Crimea and the Kremlin's suspected role in supporting pro-Russian protesters in eastern Ukraine.
An April 14 statement released by Hollande's office said the two presidents shared concerns about recent violence in eastern Ukraine, where pro-Russian groups have seized and occupied government buildings.
Hollande said he hoped a meeting planned for April 17 with representatives from Ukraine, Russia, the United States, and the European Union could "start a dialogue" to ease tensions.
Hollande also discussed possible future measures against Moscow with British Prime Minister David Cameron.
Western states have threatened to impose further sanctions on Russia over last month's annexation of Crimea and the Kremlin's suspected role in supporting pro-Russian protesters in eastern Ukraine.
17:40
14.4.2014
17:39
14.4.2014
It's mob rules in Ukraine these days...
16:55
14.4.2014
16:37
14.4.2014
See Claire Bigg's rundown of Ukraine's "Flashpoint Cities" for the situation in the east as pro-Russia forces occupy various official outposts, as well as some of our video coverage of events there.
15:45
14.4.2014
From the news desk:
Russian President Vladimir Putin has appointed Sergei Aksyonov to be the acting governor of Crimea until elections are held later this year.
Putin met with Aksyonov on April 14 at the Russian president's residence outside Moscow.
Putin said that in accordance with legislation of the Russian Federation, it was necessary to name an acting governor.
Aksyonov said he would "justify the trust" Putin has shown him. He added there is much to do to complete the process of Crimea uniting with Russia.
Putin also confirmed that elections for governor and parliament would be held in Crimea on September 14.
Aksyonov pledged that Crimea would be ready to hold the elections.
The elections are likely to increase tensions between Russia and the West.
Western nations in particular continue to say Russia's March annexation of Crimea from Ukraine is illegal.
Putin met with Aksyonov on April 14 at the Russian president's residence outside Moscow.
Putin said that in accordance with legislation of the Russian Federation, it was necessary to name an acting governor.
Aksyonov said he would "justify the trust" Putin has shown him. He added there is much to do to complete the process of Crimea uniting with Russia.
Putin also confirmed that elections for governor and parliament would be held in Crimea on September 14.
Aksyonov pledged that Crimea would be ready to hold the elections.
The elections are likely to increase tensions between Russia and the West.
Western nations in particular continue to say Russia's March annexation of Crimea from Ukraine is illegal.
15:45
14.4.2014
From the news desk:
The United States has announced it has signed a $1 billion loan guarantee for Ukraine.
Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew announced the signing April 14 after meeting Ukrainian Finance Minister Oleksandr Shlapak in Washington.
Lew said it demonstrates the United States' commitment to Ukraine.
A statement said the loan guarantee will "complement" the Ukrainian government’s International Monetary Fund (IMF) reform program.
The IMF has pledged to loan between $14 billion and $18 billion to Ukraine. The loan depends on structural reforms that Ukraine has pledged to undertake.
The U.S. statement said Washington’s loan guarantee will reinforce the Ukrainian government's efforts to provide critical services as it implements reforms, while protecting the most vulnerable households from the impact of the necessary economic adjustment.
Separately, the European Union on April 14 announced a loan of nearly 1 billion euros ($1.4 billion) to Ukraine.
This comes in addition to 610 million euros of EU aid that has been approved but not yet disbursed.
Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew announced the signing April 14 after meeting Ukrainian Finance Minister Oleksandr Shlapak in Washington.
Lew said it demonstrates the United States' commitment to Ukraine.
A statement said the loan guarantee will "complement" the Ukrainian government’s International Monetary Fund (IMF) reform program.
The IMF has pledged to loan between $14 billion and $18 billion to Ukraine. The loan depends on structural reforms that Ukraine has pledged to undertake.
The U.S. statement said Washington’s loan guarantee will reinforce the Ukrainian government's efforts to provide critical services as it implements reforms, while protecting the most vulnerable households from the impact of the necessary economic adjustment.
Separately, the European Union on April 14 announced a loan of nearly 1 billion euros ($1.4 billion) to Ukraine.
This comes in addition to 610 million euros of EU aid that has been approved but not yet disbursed.
15:02
14.4.2014
Acting Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Deshchytsya says evidence proves Russia's involvement in the destabilization of eastern Ukraine. In an interview to RFE/RL on April 14, he said the militant takeover of several eastern Ukrainian cities simultaneously was identical to the actions of pro-Russian separatists in Crimea. (RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service)
