DONETSK, Ukraine — Ukraine’s government took an increasingly aggressive stance Tuesday toward the pro-Russia separatists, vowing to expunge them from their reduced area of control and imposing new conditions before peace talks can restart.But as the military moves to encircle the rebel-held territory in eastern Ukraine, the government also said it would stop using the air and artillery... Forward>>

When Moscow-backed troops appeared in Crimea earlier this year, the media dubbed them the "Little Green Men." Now NATO members should ask themselves how they will respond if the soldiers begin appearing in Estonia and Latvia too. The Ukraine crisis has seen an interesting phenomenon: the appearance in Crimea and eastern Ukraine of seemingly professional soldiers in... Forward>>

Russia's President Vladimir Putin "has no chance to retain the Crimea", said Lech Wałęsa, former President of Poland, leader of "Solidarity" party in an interview by Czech public channel ČT24 according to Censor.net with reference to Svoboda Radio. Putin can carry on acting in accordance with his own imagination - building boundaries or deploying tanks - but the world is different today... Forward>>

The German, French, Ukrainian and Russian foreign ministers met in Berlin to try to calm the crisis. The foreign ministers of Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France say they have agreed on steps aimed at ending hostilities in eastern Ukraine. Germany's Walter Steinmeier said they agreed in talks in Berlin on a "package of measures" that paves the way for a bilateral ceasefire. Fighting in eastern... Forward>>

Let me try to discuss the implications for the European security architecture of the Ukrainian problem in the relationship of Russia and the West. What we are seeing in Ukraine, in my judgment, is not a pique but a symptom of a more basic problem: namely, the gradual but steady emergence in Russia over the last 6 or 7 years of a quasi-mystical chauvinism. Putin has taken the lead... Forward>>

Yesterday, Vladimir Putin announced that he was asking Russia’s upper house of parliament to revoke the government’s right to send troops into Ukraine—a right parliament had granted him on March 1. In a letter to Chairman of the Federation Council Valentina Matvienko, Putin declared that the decision was taken “in the aims of normalizing the circumstances and settling the situation... Forward>>

Six months ago, President Viktor Yanukovych scuppered Ukraine's association agreement with the European Union. His successor is about to sign it, for Kyiv is accelerating its departure from Moscow. And so the circle closes. Nearly seven months ago, on November 28, 2013, then Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych had the chance to write history. The European Union was ready to sign... Forward>>

Both sides in the Ukraine conflict have cast doubt on a newly called ceasefire, following the downing of a military helicopter on Tuesday. A separatist leader said there had "been no ceasefire" while President Petro Poroshenko warned he might end the truce due to violations. Fighting erupted overnight between rebels and Ukrainian troops near the Russian border in Luhansk region. Nato has accused... Forward>>

Nine soldiers killed after pro-Russian separatists shoot down helicopter, against their commander's orders to respect ceasefire. The US vice-president, Joe Biden, spoke with Ukraine's president on Tuesday after pro-Russian insurgents downed an army helicopter against ceasefire orders from their commander, the White House said. The incident, in which nine Ukrainian soldiers were killed... Forward>>

A pro-Russian fighter in Ukraine. Two teams of OSCE observers have been held hostage in eastern Ukraine for weeks. Western diplomats believe that leading Cossacks could be behind the abduction of two teams of OSCE observers in eastern Ukraine, SPIEGEL has learned. A leading Cossack in the Russian parliament could have the power to free them. Two teams from the Organization... Forward>>

Details have emerged of a 14-point peace plan to be unveiled by Ukraine's President Poroshenko later. The document, calling for disarmament in eastern Ukraine, appeared in Ukrainian media overnight. It comes after Mr Poroshenko held his second phone conversation this week with Russia's President Vladimir Putin. Heavy fighting is continuing between government forces... Forward>>

Mezhyhirya, the opulent estate of former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, has always resembled a theme park—and now it's turning into one. Visitors looking to ogle the ousted leader’s private zoo or step aboard his scale-model Spanish galleon are now welcome to tour the 350-acre grounds for a small fee. On a rainy day this week, children on a school trip ran between the property’s... Forward>>

Putin hates Europe with all its peacemakers... Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka made a statement on the pages of Prague newspaper "Pravo" in an article last Saturday, where he opposed a new round of sanctions on Russia and perceiving Moscow as a new foe of the European Union and NATO. This article is typical not only of the head of the Government of the Czech Republic... Forward>>

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has ordered the creation of humanitarian corridors for civilians to flee areas of the east hit by conflict. In a statement, the presidency said ministers had been ordered to set up "all necessary conditions for civilians who want to leave". Violence between pro-Russia militants and Ukrainian forces has left more than 200 people dead, officials say... Forward>>

On June 7, 2014, the inauguration of President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko took place in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. The ceremonial meeting in the Parliament started with the National Anthem of Ukraine performed by H.H. Veryovka National Honored Academic Folk Choir of Ukraine. Then, Chairman of the Central Election Commission Mykhailo Okhendovskyi declared... Forward>>

COLLEVILLE-SUR-MER, France, June 6 (Reuters) - World leaders and veterans gathered by the beaches of Normandy under clear blue skies on Friday to mark the 70th anniversary of World War Two's D-Day landings, with host France hoping the event will help bring a thaw in the Ukraine crisis. Wreaths, parades, parachute-landings and fireworks will be staged in honour of history's largest amphibious... Forward>>

Armed pro-Russian separatists clashed with Ukrainian self-defense fighters near the eastern city of Donetsk on Friday, two days before the presidential election, and at least two were killed, a Reuters witness and militia sources said. A leader of a Ukrainian militia group said his men had been on a reconnaissance mission near the rural settlement of Karlovka, about 15 km (10 miles)... Forward>>

A dawn attack on a checkpoint in eastern Ukraine has left at least 14 soldiers dead, in the worst loss of life for government forces to date. Heavily armed militants attacked the checkpoint in the Volnovakha area, in one of four attacks reported overnight in eastern Ukraine. It is unclear who attacked the checkpoint, with one Ukrainian officer telling the BBC it was not separatists. The attacks come just... Forward>>

An ambush of Ukrainian forces at a checkpoint in the country's east has killed 11 and left 30 badly injured. Ukraine's government has confirmed an attack on an army checkpoint in the eastern region of Donetsk that has left up to 11 people dead. The dead bodies were on display at a Ukrainian military checkpoint, witnesses said, after pro-Russian insurgents attacked the checkpoint in the village... Forward>>

Ukrainian acting Foreign Minister Andriy Deshchytsia expects to recognize whoever wins this weekend's election. He also told DW that he thinks he will live to see Ukraine join the European Union. DW: What is the role of the round-table talks for a national dialog in Ukraine? Andriy Deshchytsia: The round-table talks are a place to discuss the questions that are on Ukraine's agenda right now... Forward>>

Rallies have been held in the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk in protest at pro-Russian separatism, at the instigation of Ukraine's richest man. Steel magnate Rinat Akhmetov said " are tired of living in fear and terror" and accused separatists of leading Ukraine towards "genocide". Hundreds of attended a rally in Mr Akhmetov's football stadium, while others blared car horns... Forward>>

U.S. and euro zone data will help investors take the pulse of the global economy this week, but the crisis in Ukraine threatens to spoil any improvement. Steady prices and good retail sales are expected to show the U.S. economy in a more flattering light this week, in encouraging news for the Federal Reserve as it pares back the stimulus that has buoyed financial markets for the last few... Forward>>

It’s hard to believe now, given his recent attacks on Internet freedoms, but, in December 1999, three days before he became acting president of , Vladimir Putin made a solemn pledge to honor and protect Internet freedom of speech and commerce, recognizing the importance of this new industry for Russia’s modernization and general development. He summoned all the heads of Russia’s... Forward>>

Ukraine's political and civic leaders have held a first round of talks to end the crisis in the country - but separatists were not represented. Correspondents said talks were heated although there was a consensus that Ukraine must remain a united state. The interim president said Kiev was prepared to listen to rebels, but said they must lay down their arms first. The meeting took place one day... Forward>>

Tension over sanctions: European leaders at a round table meeting during an EU summit in Brussels on Thursday, March 20, 2014. While the EU currently shows a united front on possible economic penalties against for its interference in Ukraine, that could change once more serious sanctions are on the table. Germany is struggling to maintain the facade. European Union politicians... Forward>>