15:03
3.6.2014
Ukrainian authorities do not appear to have commented on this question since the immediate aftermath of the blast, which they blamed on mishandling of anti-aircraft weapon, presumably in the hands of separatists. I would note that despite the headline, "Arms Experts Conclude Ukraine Likely Fired Rockets In Lugansk Airstrike," they quote a single expert.
14:58
3.6.2014
14:46
3.6.2014
And here are remarks from Gazprom Deputy Chairman Aleksandr Medvedev and company spokesman Sergei Kupriyanov at a news conference in Moscow about talks with Ukraine over gas prices.
Medvedev:
"Gazprom once again agreed to a compromise by delaying the introduction of the advance payment system by one more week until June 9."
"We are doing everything possible for the process to go in a normal way. Of course, it is good when they slowly start to give you money back, but there is an agreed sum that should be repaid, and it has not been repaid in full. More than $1.5 billion are still due."
Kupriyanov:
"We need to reach an agreement. If we hold a very soft position then we will not be able to agree on terms which would be acceptable to us and to our country. But on the other hand if we are not flexible towards our Ukrainian colleagues and don't give them space to manoeuvre, we will reach a dead end too."
"Gazprom once again agreed to a compromise by delaying the introduction of the advance payment system by one more week until June 9."
"We are doing everything possible for the process to go in a normal way. Of course, it is good when they slowly start to give you money back, but there is an agreed sum that should be repaid, and it has not been repaid in full. More than $1.5 billion are still due."
Kupriyanov:
"We need to reach an agreement. If we hold a very soft position then we will not be able to agree on terms which would be acceptable to us and to our country. But on the other hand if we are not flexible towards our Ukrainian colleagues and don't give them space to manoeuvre, we will reach a dead end too."
14:45
3.6.2014
Some of Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk's comments to parliamentarians on the gas spat:
"Under no circumstances will Ukraine pay Russia $500 for 1,000 cubic meters of natural gas. There will be no discussion about it. It's not a market price -- it's a political price. There is no such price in Europe. If Russia considers Ukraine as its cash cow, then it is deeply mistaken."
"Russia cutting off its gas supply is still on agenda. It is absolutely clear that the Russian Federation will fight Ukraine with all means. And they will use gas as a weapon."
"If we do not reach an agreement, then, as I have already told the parliament, we will sue Gazprom at the Stockholm Court [of Arbitration]. The legal procedure will last for months and even years but we do not see any other way."
"Russia cutting off its gas supply is still on agenda. It is absolutely clear that the Russian Federation will fight Ukraine with all means. And they will use gas as a weapon."
"If we do not reach an agreement, then, as I have already told the parliament, we will sue Gazprom at the Stockholm Court [of Arbitration]. The legal procedure will last for months and even years but we do not see any other way."
14:42
3.6.2014
Wrap-up of a busy morning in Warsaw and Brussels, not to mention eastern Ukraine:
U.S. President Barack Obama says the United States plans to bolster its military presence in Europe by sending in more troops and equipment.
At a joint news conference in Warsaw with Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski, Obama added that he was calling on the U.S. Congress to provide up to $1 billion to support the effort.
The move comes amid concern among NATO's Eastern European members in the wake of Russia's threatening moves in Ukraine.
Komorowski called the U.S. plans a "good answer" to Russia's actions.
Earlier on June 3, Obama said the U.S. commitment to the security of its allies in Central and Eastern Europe is "sacrosanct" and "a cornerstone of our own security."
The White House has said that the $1 billion European Reassurance Initiative, pending approval in the U.S. Congress, will rotate additional U.S. troops in the region and fund increased military exercises and training missions.
At his joint press conference with the Polish president, Obama also called on NATO members to increase their own defense spending to ensure the alliance's collective security.
He said the United States would "step up partnership" with countries such as Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova.
Obama also called on Russia to use its influence with separatists in eastern Ukraine to make them lay down their weapons.
He said the United States wants good relations with Moscow and is "not interested in threatening Russia." But he also said Washington is prepared to increase sanctions if Russia continues its destabilizing actions in Ukraine.
He also said that rebuilding trust with Moscow will take "quite some time."
Obama called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to meet with Ukraine's President-elect Petro Poroshenko and recognize Ukraine's recent election as legitimate.
Obama is scheduled to meet for the first time with Poroshenko on June 4 in Warsaw.
Obama and Putin also could potentially meet later this week, when both plan to be in France for the 70th anniversary of the D-Day invasion that eventually led to the allied victory in World War II.
With reporting by Reuters, AP, and AFP
At a joint news conference in Warsaw with Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski, Obama added that he was calling on the U.S. Congress to provide up to $1 billion to support the effort.
The move comes amid concern among NATO's Eastern European members in the wake of Russia's threatening moves in Ukraine.
Komorowski called the U.S. plans a "good answer" to Russia's actions.
Earlier on June 3, Obama said the U.S. commitment to the security of its allies in Central and Eastern Europe is "sacrosanct" and "a cornerstone of our own security."
The White House has said that the $1 billion European Reassurance Initiative, pending approval in the U.S. Congress, will rotate additional U.S. troops in the region and fund increased military exercises and training missions.
At his joint press conference with the Polish president, Obama also called on NATO members to increase their own defense spending to ensure the alliance's collective security.
He said the United States would "step up partnership" with countries such as Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova.
Obama also called on Russia to use its influence with separatists in eastern Ukraine to make them lay down their weapons.
He said the United States wants good relations with Moscow and is "not interested in threatening Russia." But he also said Washington is prepared to increase sanctions if Russia continues its destabilizing actions in Ukraine.
He also said that rebuilding trust with Moscow will take "quite some time."
Obama called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to meet with Ukraine's President-elect Petro Poroshenko and recognize Ukraine's recent election as legitimate.
Obama is scheduled to meet for the first time with Poroshenko on June 4 in Warsaw.
Obama and Putin also could potentially meet later this week, when both plan to be in France for the 70th anniversary of the D-Day invasion that eventually led to the allied victory in World War II.
With reporting by Reuters, AP, and AFP
14:25
3.6.2014
Here's our interactive map of where some of the latest fighting has occurred:
13:50
3.6.2014
A destroyed railway bridge in Luhansk:
13:48
3.6.2014
13:48
3.6.2014
13:46
3.6.2014