16:37
25.4.2014
Here's our newsroom's story on the International Criminal Court's effort to determine whether a full investigation is warranted into possible criminality during the protests and unrest that prompted Viktor Yanukovych to flee Ukraine.
The ICC has launched a probe into possible crimes committed during the protests that led to the ouster of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych.
The court said in a statement that chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda (eds: a woman) has decided to open a preliminary investigation "into the situation" in Ukraine to determine if criteria exist for a full investigation.
Ukraine is not a member of the Netherlands-based International Criminal Court. But it has granted the court jurisdiction over any crimes that may have been committed between November 21, when protests against Yanukovych turned violent, and February 22, the day Yanukovych fled Kyiv.
More than 100 demonstrators were killed and hundreds of others injured during the antigovernment protests.
The court said if the prosecutor decides there is a strong basis for an investigation, she would ask the court to formally authorize a full probe.
The court said in a statement that chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda (eds: a woman) has decided to open a preliminary investigation "into the situation" in Ukraine to determine if criteria exist for a full investigation.
Ukraine is not a member of the Netherlands-based International Criminal Court. But it has granted the court jurisdiction over any crimes that may have been committed between November 21, when protests against Yanukovych turned violent, and February 22, the day Yanukovych fled Kyiv.
More than 100 demonstrators were killed and hundreds of others injured during the antigovernment protests.
The court said if the prosecutor decides there is a strong basis for an investigation, she would ask the court to formally authorize a full probe.
16:34
25.4.2014
15:57
25.4.2014
Speaking in Kyiv, U.S. Senator Carl Levin said that the political will exists in the U.S. Senate to urge President Barack Obama to implement stronger sanctions against Russian banks and other businesses in response to the crisis in Ukraine. (Video by RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service)
14:45
25.4.2014
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, also in Tunis, said: "We are still discussing these types of sanctions against Russia. We are at level two of sanctions now. The sanctions taken must lower escalation and tensions in the region."
14:39
25.4.2014
Reuters quotes German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier as saying in Tunis today: "Time is running out to put a stop to this madness in Ukraine."
14:32
25.4.2014
Is there any real base for Russia to call new Ukraine govt 'illegitimate'? this clears a lot http://t.co/fmmkOjoW3Q pic.twitter.com/wj0fNsYv9B
— Maxim Eristavi (@MaximEristavi) April 25, 2014
14:20
25.4.2014
‘I had it pretty easy, because I was let go," says @SimonOstrovsky. The story we've all been waiting to read: http://t.co/KA32oLhvbt
— Jack Stubbs (@jc_stubbs) April 25, 2014
14:03
25.4.2014
Telephone conversation with Federal Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel http://t.co/gAeMnXzdej
— President of Russia (@KremlinRussia_E) April 25, 2014
14:02
25.4.2014
Our news desk has more on the economic impact that the Ukraine crisis is having on Russia:
Russia's central bank has unexpectedly raised the country's key interest rate to 7.5 percent from 7 percent in an effort to curb inflation.
The move comes after the international ratings agency Standard & Poor's cut Russia's sovereign credit rating one notch on April 25 to BBB- and kept its outlook "negative."
The agency cited a risk of increased capital flight amid the Ukraine crisis for its decision as some $50.6 billion left Russia in the first quarter.
The central bank also said on April 25 that inflation had increased this month to 7.2 percent, up from 6.4 percent in March.
The ruble also lost ground against both the euro and the dollar, falling to 35.93 rubles to $1 and 49.7 rubles to 1 euro.
The move comes after the international ratings agency Standard & Poor's cut Russia's sovereign credit rating one notch on April 25 to BBB- and kept its outlook "negative."
The agency cited a risk of increased capital flight amid the Ukraine crisis for its decision as some $50.6 billion left Russia in the first quarter.
The central bank also said on April 25 that inflation had increased this month to 7.2 percent, up from 6.4 percent in March.
The ruble also lost ground against both the euro and the dollar, falling to 35.93 rubles to $1 and 49.7 rubles to 1 euro.
13:45
25.4.2014
Ukrainians now entitled to 10-year US visas - ambassador @GeoffPyatt
— Leonid Ragozin (@leonidragozin) April 25, 2014