Request comes just two hours after referendum results show 90% voted for independence from Ukraine The "People's Republic of Donetsk" declared itself an independent country on Monday and, within two hours of doing so, had asked to join Russia. The separatist leader Denis Pushilin told journalists that the self-proclaimed republic would ask Moscow to consider absorbing the region, which borders...
Renewable energy sources could reduce EU dependence on imported fossil fuels, often supplied from conflict-ridden countries If we needed a reminder of how politics and energy are inextricably linked, the Ukraine crisis has done us all a timely service. The price and supply of gas is rapidly becoming a major Russian weapon against its neighbour, and by extension, its European supporters. Nearly a third...
In Kipling's classic boy's own spy story, an orphan in British India must make a choice between east and west Robert McCrum introduces the series Kim , Kipling's extraordinarily topical masterpiece, has one of the most brilliant openings in this series: "He sat, in defiance of municipal orders, astride the gun Zam-Zammah on her brick platform opposite the old Ajaib-Ghar the Wonder Horse, as the...
Almost 90% of voters in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk have voted for self-rule. Declaring the results of Sunday's self-rule referendum at a press conference, the head of the de facto electoral commission Roman Lyagin said: 'We demand the right for self-rule and we will strive towards this.' Continue reading... ...
A key principle of liberal politics is self-determination. Step forward the people of Ukraine not Washington or London Last night's Ukraine referendum yields not one crisis but two. The first is separatist pressure of the sort that has long plagued the politics of Europe. A poorly drawn border, an ethnic or linguistic minority, an inept central government all lead to revolt. Resolution lies either...
British foreign secretary criticised the referendum in Donetsk, where voters backed the creation of a quasi-independent republic. Speaking to journalists before meeting EU foreign ministers in Brussels on Monday, he said the poll did not meet any standards for objectivity and transparency. 'These votes have zero credibility in the eyes of the world. They are illegal', he added Continue reading... ...
Likelihood of annexation recedes as Donetsk and Luhansk claim 90%-plus vote for sovereignty for 'people's republics' Russia has said it "respects" the results of independence referendums in eastern Ukraine, but has called for dialogue between the government in Kiev and the south-east regions of the country, suggesting that a Crimea-style annexation of the region for Moscow is not on the cards....
Kiev defends military's 'anti-terrorist operations' as rebels say 90% of vote is in favour of 'people's republics' in Donetsk and Luhansk There were no international observers, no up-to-date electoral lists, and the ballot papers were photocopies. With heavily armed men keeping watch, ambiguous wording on the ballot slip and a bungled Ukrainian attempt to stop voting in one town that ended with one...
Dalia Grybauskaite falls short of first round re-election despite popular stance against Russian expansion Lithuanian president Dalia Grybauskaite faces a second round run-off after Sunday's presidential elections in the Baltic state after she fell short of the 50% of votes needed for re-election in the first round. With 97% of votes counted, Grybauskaite, popular for her abrasive style and strong...
Voters in Donetsk, eastern Ukraine, take part in a referendum on whether to become a 'people's republic' and leave the country. Yes voters, who form an overwhelming majority of those taking part, claim becoming separate is the first step to joining Russia. A referendum on membership of Ukraine is also taking place in the Luhansk region Continue reading... ...
Referendum for 'people's republics' in Donetsk and Luhansk Long queues form outside polling stations in Mariupol Clashes overnight on the outskirts of Slavyansk Read a summary of key events 5.01pm BST Pro-Russian rebels claimed a big turnout in a vote to split eastern Ukraine into two independent republics . Thousands of people queued in front of a few polling stations in Donetsk and Luhansk to cast...
Centre-right leader Dalia Grybauskaite, a firm supporter of the Nato alliance, strongly favoured to win second term Lithuanians began voting on Sunday to elect their president, with the incumbent "Iron Lady" Dalia Grybauskaite an apparent shoo-in as fears in the EU Baltic state soar over a resurgent Russia. Grybauskaite, renowned for her Thatcheresque resolve, is poised to win a second term...
Photographs from the Guardian Eyewitness series Continue reading... ...
German chancellor Angela Merkel makes a joint statement on Saturday with French president Francois Hollande on the upcoming referendum in eastern Ukraine. Merkel says the referendum is illegitimate and the real focus is on the general election on 25 May. Despite calls from Russia to postpone the referendum, preperations are being made for the vote Continue reading... ...
Dmitry Rogozin reacts to being barred by saying that he will return in a military aircraft next time Romania has asked Moscow for an explanation after Russia's deputy prime minister, Dmitry Rogozin, reacting to being barred from its airspace, tweeted he would return in a TU-160 strategic bomber. Rogozin, one of the senior Russian officials sanctioned by the European Union and United States after Moscow...
Donetsk on the brink of civil war as army, police and pro-Russia forces exchange fire in port city of Mariupol A hastily organised referendum on creating the quasi-independent statelet of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine will go ahead on Sunday, as violence and chaos rage in the region in what increasingly resembles the beginning of a civil war. At least seven people died in the southern port city of Mariupol...
France and Germany warn Vladimir Putin Sunday's separatist referendum in east is illegal and call for 'national dialogue' Germany and France have threatened Russia with further sanctions if the 25 May election in Ukraine does not go ahead as planned. The German chancellor, Angela Merkel, urged the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, to do more to calm the situation, warning that a separatist referendum...
As Vladimir Putin visits for the first time since annexation, Crimea is still going through a tricky process of assimilation Russia's annexation of Crimea has resulted in startling disruption to everyday life, with banks running out of money, prices soaring, and even problems with water supplies. As the president, Vladimir Putin, flew into the peninsula for the first time since Russia wrested control...
Sanctions only boost the Russian leader's popularity at home. There is little the west can do apart from talk Although it was ignored, Putin's call for pro-Russia rebels to delay their referendum in east Ukraine is a promising development. It is a sign that the Kremlin may be willing to halt the slide into civil war and bring the warring parties back to the "national dialogue" on Ukraine's...
Russian president greeted with patriotic fervour at second world war commemoration, while at least five are killed in southern city Vladimir Putin made a triumphant first visit to Crimea on Friday, as the region held its first Victory Day commemorations since it was annexed by Russia two months ago. But the gravity of the crisis gripping the rest of Ukraine was underscored by more deadly clashes in...