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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.
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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
18:32 27.5.2014
18:58 27.5.2014
Our news desk has some more details of President Obama's chat with Petro Poroshenko:
U.S. President Barack Obama has telephoned Ukraine's President-elect Petro Poroshenko to offer congratulations on his victory in the May 25 election.

In the phone call today, Obama offered Poroshenko the United States' full support as the newly elected Ukrainian president works to unify his divided country.

Obama emphasized the need for quickly implementing reforms necessary for Ukraine "to bring the country together and to develop a sustainable economy, attractive investment climate, and transparent and accountable government that is responsive to the concerns and aspirations of all Ukrainians."

The two leaders agreed to continue their conversation next week when President Obama travels to Europe.

Poroshenko takes over as the government in Kyiv is facing armed separatists in eastern Ukraine who have rejected the results of the presidential election and are instead attempting to carve out pro-Russian autonomous regions.
19:04 27.5.2014
19:56 27.5.2014
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20:47 27.5.2014
20:51 27.5.2014
20:58 27.5.2014
20:59 27.5.2014
21:37 27.5.2014
Barring any dramatic developments, we are now closing our live blog for today. Before we go, here's an update from our news desk regarding the progress Kyiv has made toward securing visa-free travel for its citizens in the EU:
The European Commission has announced that Ukraine has moved a step closer to visa-free travel in the European Union.

The commission said in a statement today that "Ukraine has put in place the necessary legislative, policy and institutional framework and meets the first-phase requirements" for EU visa-free travel.

The commission said that this clears the way for launching the second phase where the EU will check to see, for example, whether laws on issuing secure documents or controlling illegal immigration, are in place.

Commission president Jose Manual Barroso said, "While important work still lies ahead, this is a very concrete sign to the Ukrainian authorities and citizens that with perseverance the benefits of a closer association with the EU are real and tangible to all."

Improved travel ties are part of EU efforts to solidify political and economic ties with Ukraine.

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