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Ukraine crisis: Military observer freed in Sloviansk Ukraine crisis: Military observer freed in Sloviansk
(35 minutes later)
Pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine have freed one of a team of eight European monitors seized in the flashpoint city of Sloviansk on Friday. Pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine have released one of a team of eight European monitors seized in the flashpoint city of Sloviansk.
The man, a Swede, was released on medical grounds, the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) has confirmed. The officer, a Swede, was freed on medical grounds, it has been confirmed.
The monitors, who were operating under the auspices of the OSCE, were shown to the media on Sunday. The monitors were shown to the media on Sunday - a move described as "revolting" by Germany, the native country of four of the team.
Intensive diplomacy has been going on to try to secure their freedom. The remaining seven are still being held and diplomacy continues to try to secure their freedom.
There is no word about a number of Ukrainian military officers who were seized along with the group.There is no word about a number of Ukrainian military officers who were seized along with the group.
In eastern Ukraine, gunmen continue to occupy official buildings in a dozen cities, defying the government in Kiev.In eastern Ukraine, gunmen continue to occupy official buildings in a dozen cities, defying the government in Kiev.
In other developments:In other developments:
The US and EU are preparing to unveil new sanctions against Russia, accusing it of destabilising Ukraine.The US and EU are preparing to unveil new sanctions against Russia, accusing it of destabilising Ukraine.
'Not prisoners of war''Not prisoners of war'
The foreign observers are from Germany, Poland, Sweden, Denmark and the Czech Republic. The foreign observers - operating under the auspices of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) are from Germany, Poland, Sweden, Denmark and the Czech Republic.
They were shown to the media on Sunday, led into Sloviansk town hall by masked gunmen.They were shown to the media on Sunday, led into Sloviansk town hall by masked gunmen.
German monitor Col Axel Schneider, who spoke for the group, stressed they were not Nato officers - contrary to claims made by the separatists - nor armed fighters, but diplomats in uniforms.German monitor Col Axel Schneider, who spoke for the group, stressed they were not Nato officers - contrary to claims made by the separatists - nor armed fighters, but 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.""We are not prisoners of war. We are the guests of (self-declared Sloviansk) Mayor (Vyacheslav) Ponomaryov, and being treated as such."
Reporters later saw one of the group - accompanied by two men - get into an OSCE vehicle which then drove away.Reporters later saw one of the group - accompanied by two men - get into an OSCE vehicle which then drove away.
Stella Khorosheva, a spokeswoman for Mr Ponomaryov, told Reuters the Swedish national who was freed "has a mild form of diabetes and so we decided to let him go". Aspokeswoman for Mr Ponomaryov told Reuters the Swedish national who was freed "has a mild form of diabetes and so we decided to let him go".
Germany strongly criticised the group's appearance before the media.
"The public parading of the OSCE observers and Ukrainian security forces as prisoners is revolting and blatantly hurts the dignity of the victims," said a statement (in German) from Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
Mr Steinmeier added that Russia had a duty to "influence" the separatists" so that the other members of the mission can be freed as soon as possible
The monitors who were captured are not part of the main OSCE mission in Ukraine, which Moscow agreed to.The monitors who were captured are not part of the main OSCE mission in Ukraine, which Moscow agreed to.
They are from individual OSCE countries, invited to Ukraine by the Kiev government, says the BBC's Bethany Bell in Vienna, where the organisation has its headquarters.They are from individual OSCE countries, invited to Ukraine by the Kiev government, says the BBC's Bethany Bell in Vienna, where the organisation has its headquarters.
Earlier, Mr Ponomaryov said there was the possibility of exchanging the monitors for militia members held by the Kiev government.Earlier, Mr Ponomaryov said there was the possibility of exchanging the monitors for militia members held by the Kiev government.
Russia, an OSCE member, has pledged to "take all possible steps" to secure the release of the observers. Russia, an OSCE member, has pledged to "take all possible steps" to secure the observers' release.
Kiev has 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 has blamed Moscow for fomenting 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.