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Ukraine crisis: Pro-Russian gunmen show seized monitors Ukraine crisis: Pro-Russian gunmen show seized monitors
(about 1 hour later)
Pro-Russian gunmen in eastern Ukraine have shown seized European military observers to the media, amid attempts to secure their immediate release.Pro-Russian gunmen in eastern Ukraine have shown seized European military observers to the media, amid attempts to secure their immediate release.
One of the observers presented in the city of Sloviansk said that none of the group had been harmed.One of the observers presented in the city of Sloviansk said that none of the group had been harmed.
A team from the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) is hoping to begin negotiations.A team from the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) is hoping to begin negotiations.
The gunmen continue to occupy official buildings in a dozen eastern cities, defying the government in Kiev.The gunmen continue to occupy official buildings in a dozen eastern cities, defying the government in Kiev.
Separatists were reported to have seized control of the regional television and radio headquarters in the eastern city of Donetsk on Sunday.
In a separate development on Sunday, pro-Russian gunmen said they had captured three Ukrainian security services members overnight in eastern Ukraine. Kiev later confirmed a number of its officers had been seized.In a separate development on Sunday, pro-Russian gunmen said they had captured three Ukrainian security services members overnight in eastern Ukraine. Kiev later confirmed a number of its officers had been seized.
This comes as the US and EU are preparing new sanctions against Russia, accusing it of destabilising Ukraine.This comes as the US and EU are preparing new sanctions against Russia, accusing it of destabilising Ukraine.
US President Barack Obama said the Kremlin had "not lifted a finger" to implement last week's deal in Geneva aimed at easing the crisis.US President Barack Obama said the Kremlin had "not lifted a finger" to implement last week's deal in Geneva aimed at easing the crisis.
EU diplomats are expected to meet on Monday to discuss fresh sanctions against Russia.EU diplomats are expected to meet on Monday to discuss fresh sanctions against Russia.
The Kremlin denies supporting the militia in eastern Ukraine.The Kremlin denies supporting the militia in eastern Ukraine.
'Guests' 'Treated as mayor's guests'
The observers from Germany, Denmark, Poland, Sweden and the Czech Republic were presented to reporters in Sloviansk on Sunday.The observers from Germany, Denmark, Poland, Sweden and the Czech Republic were presented to reporters in Sloviansk on Sunday.
The monitors - who were captured in the flashpoint town on Friday - were led into the building by masked gunmen.The monitors - who were captured in the flashpoint town on Friday - were led into the building by masked gunmen.
"All the European officers are in good health and no-one is sick," said German monitor Col Axel Schneider."All the European officers are in good health and no-one is sick," said German monitor Col Axel Schneider.
"We have no indication when we will be sent home to our countries." He stressed that they were not Nato officers, but an international group working for the OSCE - and that they were not armed fighters but diplomats in uniforms.
He added: "We're not fighters, we're diplomats in uniforms." "We are not prisoners of war. We are the guests of (self-declared Sloviansk) Mayor (Vyacheslav) Ponomaryov, and being treated as such."
The observers were also quoted as saying they were "guests, not prisoners of war". However he also said the group had "no indication when we will be sent home to our countries."
Earlier in the day, an OSCE source told the BBC that the group's negotiating team had been sent to Sloviansk to try to secure the monitors' release.Earlier in the day, an OSCE source told the BBC that the group's negotiating team had been sent to Sloviansk to try to secure the monitors' release.
The source declined to say how many negotiators were heading to the flashpoint eastern town.The source declined to say how many negotiators were heading to the flashpoint eastern town.
Meanwhile, Sloviansk's self-declared mayor Vyacheslav Ponomaryov said there was the possibility of exchanging the monitors for militia members held by the Kiev government. Meanwhile, the head of the OSCE, Lamberto Zannier, is expected in the Ukrainian capital later on Sunday, AFP news agency reported.
"It's the fundamental option," he told Reuters. Earlier, Mr Ponomaryov said there was the possibility of exchanging the monitors for militia members held by the Kiev government.
Russia, an OSCE member, earlier pledged that it would "take all possible steps" to secure the release of the observers.Russia, an OSCE member, earlier pledged that it would "take all possible steps" to secure the release of the observers.
Meanwhile, Kiev accused the militia of using the Europeans as a "human shield". Kiev has accused the militia of using the Europeans as a "human shield".
The West is accusing Moscow of leading a secessionist revolt in eastern Ukraine after it annexed Crimea last month. Moscow denies the claim.The West is accusing Moscow of leading a secessionist revolt in eastern Ukraine after it annexed Crimea last month. Moscow denies the claim.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Ukraine must end military operations in the east of the country as part of urgent measures to defuse the crisis.Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Ukraine must end military operations in the east of the country as part of urgent measures to defuse the crisis.
Ukrainian troops have carried out a number of raids to try to regain control of official buildings.Ukrainian troops have carried out a number of raids to try to regain control of official buildings.
The crisis began when protesters toppled pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych in February and has since plunged East-West relations to their lowest point since the Cold War.The crisis began when protesters toppled pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych in February and has since plunged East-West relations to their lowest point since the Cold War.
Russia has tens of thousands of troops deployed along its side of the border with Ukraine and has said it will act if its interests are threatened.Russia has tens of thousands of troops deployed along its side of the border with Ukraine and has said it will act if its interests are threatened.
On Saturday, the G7 praised Ukraine for acting with restraint in dealing with the "armed bands" that had occupied government buildings.On Saturday, the G7 praised Ukraine for acting with restraint in dealing with the "armed bands" that had occupied government buildings.
But the group, which comprises the US, UK, Germany, Japan, France, Canada and Italy, condemned Russia's "increasingly concerning rhetoric and ongoing threatening military manoeuvres."But the group, which comprises the US, UK, Germany, Japan, France, Canada and Italy, condemned Russia's "increasingly concerning rhetoric and ongoing threatening military manoeuvres."
The G7 said it was committed to intensifying sanctions on Russia, ahead of Ukrainian presidential elections next month.The G7 said it was committed to intensifying sanctions on Russia, ahead of Ukrainian presidential elections next month.
The US and EU already have asset freezes and travel bans in place targeting a number of Russian individuals and firms accused of playing a part in the annexation of Crimea.