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A woman carries a baby as she passes destroyed houses following what locals say was overnight shelling by Ukrainian forces in the eastern town of Slovyansk on June 9.
A woman carries a baby as she passes destroyed houses following what locals say was overnight shelling by Ukrainian forces in the eastern town of Slovyansk on June 9.

Live Blog: Crisis In Ukraine (Archive)

Summary for June 9

-- Ukraine's Foreign Ministry says that Moscow and Kyiv have reached a "mutual understanding" on key parts of a plan proposed by President Petro Poroshenko for ending violence in separatist-controlled eastern Ukraine.

-- Reports say up to 20 armed gunmen were trying to seize property from a factory (Topaz) that makes communications and electronic-warfare equipment in the Donetsk region.

-- A deputy foreign minister says Russia will consider any expansion of NATO forces near its borders a "demonstration of hostile intentions" and "take the necessary political and military-technological measures to support our security."

-- A two-man crew for Russian Zvezda TV arrived in Moscow after being released from detention in Ukraine.

-- Serbian officials say their own work on the Russian-backed South Stream gas pipeline will have to be suspended after Bulgaria stopped construction of its portion based on EU and U.S. concerns.

-- Ukrainian security forces are reportedly still battling pro-Russian separatists in the east near Slovyansk and Donetsk.

*NOTE: Times are stated according to local time in Kyiv
07:49 27.5.2014
EU Commissioner for Energy Guenther Oettinger (file photo)
EU Commissioner for Energy Guenther Oettinger (file photo)

Gas update from our newsroom:
Europe's Energy Commissioner has reported progress between Russia and Ukraine over money Kyiv owes Moscow for gas supplies.

Speaking after talks in Berlin on May 26, Guenther Oettinger said the two sides were studying a deal under which Ukraine would pay Russia $2 billion of its gas debt by May 29 and another $500 million by June 7.

If the two sides agree the deal, Oettinger explained, further talks on the price Ukraine pays Russia for gas deliveries could then be held from May 30.

According to Russia's Energy Minister Aleksandr Novak, Moscow is "ready to continue the negotiations and discuss prices for future gas deliveries to Ukraine if the payments arrive by the end of this week."

Ukraine's Energy Minister Yuri Prodan said there was not yet an agreement between Ukraine and Russia to resolve the dispute.
Based on reporting by AFP and Reuters
07:46 27.5.2014
Reports cited by RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service quote Ukrainian border guards saying they engaged in "a fight" with a group of heavily armed individuals trying to cross illegally overnight from Russia into the eastern Luhansk region.

Border guards reportedly detected and engaged "a convoy comprising several trucks, passenger cars, and minivans" after it crossed the border around 3:40 in the morning today in the Sverdlosk area.

One of the suspects was seriously injured, and authorities seized a van and two cars, the report says. It claims Kalashnikovs, antitank RPGs, and grenades were found in the vehicles.
22:31 26.5.2014
Barring any late breaking news, this ends our live-blogging for May 26. Follow our ongoing Ukraine coverage here.
22:27 26.5.2014
So is the leader of Donetsk's separatists staying put?
21:31 26.5.2014
21:03 26.5.2014
Reports suggest fighting has moved away from the airport toward the center of Donetsk:

20:22 26.5.2014
19:36 26.5.2014
As our news desk reports, Petro Poroshenko has officially been declared the winner of Ukraine's presidential election:
The chairman of Ukraine's Central Election Commission on May 26 said Petro Poroshenko has been elected president of Ukraine.

Commission Chairman Mykhaylo Ohendovskyy told a press briefing in Kyiv that there will be no need for a second round of the presidential election as Poroshenko has received enough votes to be declared the winner outright.

Ohendovskiy said, "Ukraine's new president, Petro Poroshenko, was elected on May 25."

The commission said that, with more than 90 percent of the vote processed, Poroshenko had more than 54 percent of the vote, followed by former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko with 13 percent. (AFP, Interfax, and UNIAN)
18:56 26.5.2014
Questions already about Poroshenko's conflicts of interest:
18:16 26.5.2014

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