Russia said Wednesday it would resume gas price talks with Ukraine if Kiev pays off part of its mounting gas debt, in an apparent move to soften its tone in gas disputes with the Eastern European country.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel stood by Germany's foreign policy in the wake of the Ukraine crisis and stressed the importance of a peaceful settlement of the conflict, in an interview published on Tuesday.
Russia on Monday blamed the United States and Ukraine for hampering the release of proposals on solving the Ukrainian crisis drafted by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
The United States on Sunday rejected the referendums being held in two regions of eastern Ukraine over their future status, saying it would not recognize the results.
The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) on Sunday said in a statement that it "regrets" the referendum in Ukraine.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande on Saturday declared a planned referendum in eastern Ukraine as illegal.
Local residents in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk and Lugansk regions went to the polls on Sunday in referendums aimed at seeking independence from the country.
Russia had withdrawn its troops from the Ukrainian border, said Russian President Vladimir Putin during a meeting with President of the Swiss Confederation Didier Burkhalter in Moscow, the Russian capital, Wednesday.
U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel met on Wednesday with Georgian Minister of Defense Irakli Alasania to discuss the situation in Ukraine, according to a statement released by the U.S. Defense Department.
The United States and the European Union on Tuesday agreed on more sanctions on Russia in response to what they called its "destabilization" moves in eastern Ukraine.
Russia urged Sunday the Organization for Security and Cooperation of Europe (OSCE) and the Council of Europe to immediately evaluate the situation in Ukraine in an objective manner.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on Wednesday that its board has approved a two-year financial aid program totaling 17 billion U.S. dollars for Ukraine to support its economy.
Russian Foreign Ministry urged Ukraine not to use armed force in its southeastern regions Thursday, saying it would lead to a catastrophe.
U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has stepped up consultations with Eastern European allies on the Ukraine situation amid Russia's activities along its border, a Pentagon spokesman said on Tuesday.
Russia has assured the United States that it will not invade Ukraine, said the U.S. Department of Defense Monday.
Vice President Joe Biden on Saturday talked with Hungarian and Czech leaders over phone to build support for slapping new sanctions on Russia amid escalating tensions in eastern Ukraine.
Secretary of State John Kerry on Thursday accused Russia of inaction in helping to ease the tense situation in eastern Ukraine, warning that the United States is ready to impose additional sanctions in response.
简体中文
