10:22
16.4.2014
Wha? RT @RT_com: BREAKING: Anti-govt protesters declare Odessa 'People's Republic' in southern #Ukraine http://t.co/CgvPW0Ml6o
— Glenn Kates (@gkates) April 16, 2014
10:02
16.4.2014
According to RFE/RL's Brussels correspondent Rikard Jozwiak, Stefan Fuele seems to be hinting at more sanctions aimed at Russia:
The European Union's enlargement commissioner has warned Russia that EU sanctions could gradually be "enlarged to a broad range of economic areas" should Moscow continue to destabilize Ukraine.
Speaking at a debate on the crisis in Ukraine in the European plenary in Strasbourg, Stefan Fuele noted that "coordinated and professional actions" by armed groups in eastern Ukraine resemble the scenario recently enacted in Crimea.
Fuele also said that the EU would respond jointly to a letter sent by Russian President Vladimir Putin to 18 member states concerning the energy situation in Ukraine, adding that Brussels would "agree on consultations with Moscow and Kyiv with a view to ensuring security of supply and transit."
In his speech, Fuele revealed that the EU Commission has invited the governments of Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine to Brussels in May to shore up support for the Eastern Partnership.
Speaking at a debate on the crisis in Ukraine in the European plenary in Strasbourg, Stefan Fuele noted that "coordinated and professional actions" by armed groups in eastern Ukraine resemble the scenario recently enacted in Crimea.
Fuele also said that the EU would respond jointly to a letter sent by Russian President Vladimir Putin to 18 member states concerning the energy situation in Ukraine, adding that Brussels would "agree on consultations with Moscow and Kyiv with a view to ensuring security of supply and transit."
In his speech, Fuele revealed that the EU Commission has invited the governments of Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine to Brussels in May to shore up support for the Eastern Partnership.
09:40
16.4.2014
People at #Kramatorsk link hands to stop #Ukraine troops entering town. pic.twitter.com/920IwaSWeL
— Lindsey Hilsum (@lindseyhilsum) April 16, 2014
09:21
16.4.2014
This YouTube video seems to indicate that whoever is driving the armored vehicles that have entered Slovyansk, they are in a pretty jubilant mood:
09:05
16.4.2014
The mayor of Slovyansk has been telling Reuters that armed pro-Russia separatists have been distributing weapons among local residents:
08:42
16.4.2014
What is clear from an eyewitness video in Kramatorsk: Ukrainian soldiers gave away those APCs without any fight
— Maxim Eristavi (@MaximEristavi) April 16, 2014
08:29
16.4.2014
More pro-Russia militia enjoying a spin in #Kramatorsk. The east of Ukraine lost to Kiev barring divine intervention pic.twitter.com/TMFsM0gBco
— Luke Harding (@lukeharding1968) April 16, 2014
08:28
16.4.2014
This YouTube video purportedly shows tanks in Slovyansk this morning:
08:21
16.4.2014
Our news desk has a little bit more detail on developments in Slovyansk and Donetsk:
Armored vehicles bearing the Russian flag have been seen driving in eastern Ukraine.
The vehicles drove through the city of Kramatorsk, heading into the city of Slovyansk.
A witness told the Reuters news agency that the armored vehicles stopped outside the city hall in Slovyansk, which is still occupied by separatists.
Dozens of men in camouflage were seated on top of the vehicles.
Meanwhile, separatists on April 16 broke into the city hall in the region's main city of Donetsk.
Separatists also continue to occupy official buildings in at least eight other eastern cities.
Yesterday Ukraine's security forces launched an "antiterrorist" operation in the east of the country and retook a small military air base in Kramatorsk.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that Ukraine is "on the verge of civil war."
Russia denies accusations by Ukraine and the West that it is organizing the unrest.
The vehicles drove through the city of Kramatorsk, heading into the city of Slovyansk.
A witness told the Reuters news agency that the armored vehicles stopped outside the city hall in Slovyansk, which is still occupied by separatists.
Dozens of men in camouflage were seated on top of the vehicles.
Meanwhile, separatists on April 16 broke into the city hall in the region's main city of Donetsk.
Separatists also continue to occupy official buildings in at least eight other eastern cities.
Yesterday Ukraine's security forces launched an "antiterrorist" operation in the east of the country and retook a small military air base in Kramatorsk.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that Ukraine is "on the verge of civil war."
Russia denies accusations by Ukraine and the West that it is organizing the unrest.
08:07
16.4.2014