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| Russia’s Putin calls for postponement of referendum in eastern Ukraine | Russia’s Putin calls for postponement of referendum in eastern Ukraine |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared to take conciliatory steps Wednesday to ease tensions in Ukraine, calling for pro-Russian separatists in the eastern part of the country to postpone a planned Sunday referendum that could exacerbate violence and saying that a May 25 presidential election whose legitimacy the Kremlin had previously questioned was now “a movement in the right direction.” | |
| The remarks marked a significant shift in tone from the hard line that Putin and other top Russian officials had taken for weeks toward the acting government in Kiev, which took power after pro-Russian Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych fled in February in the face of popular protests. | |
| Putin also said the Russian military has pulled back from the Ukrainian border, where troops had massed for exercises that the Ukrainian government considered threatening. U.S. officials said about 40,000 troops had gathered in border areas in recent weeks. | |
| It was not immediately clear whether the pro-Russian separatists would indeed reschedule their May 11 referendum. One separatist leader said earlier Wednesday that the referendum would aim to establish an independent, Russian-friendly state in territory that is currently Ukrainian. | |
| “I want to emphasize that the presidential election itself is a movement in the right direction, but only if all citizens of Ukraine understand that their rights are guaranteed,” Putin told reporters in Moscow. | |
| Putin’s call for a delay in the plebiscite came as Ukrainian forces briefly recaptured a separatist-controlled government building in Mariupol and diplomats visited Kiev and Moscow in a last-ditch attempt to pull Ukraine out of spiraling chaos. | Putin’s call for a delay in the plebiscite came as Ukrainian forces briefly recaptured a separatist-controlled government building in Mariupol and diplomats visited Kiev and Moscow in a last-ditch attempt to pull Ukraine out of spiraling chaos. |
| The government forces surrendered the building in Mariupol, a key industrial city on the Sea of Azov, to separatists shortly after capturing it. The retreat dealt an embarrassing blow to Ukrainian authorities’ attempts to regain control over their territory in the restive eastern part of the country, where pro-Russian separatists have seized several cities. | |
| The separatists called the May 11 referendum to decide whether the Donetsk region, Ukraine’s industrial heartland, should become a sovereign republic. Some of the separatists operate under the banner of the self-proclaimed “Donetsk People’s Republic.” | The separatists called the May 11 referendum to decide whether the Donetsk region, Ukraine’s industrial heartland, should become a sovereign republic. Some of the separatists operate under the banner of the self-proclaimed “Donetsk People’s Republic.” |
| Security forces started working to take back the Mariupol city council building from separatists on Tuesday night and continued into the early hours of Wednesday. By 6 a.m., Ukrainian security forces were in control and flew a Ukrainian flag off the building, witnesses and the Ukrainian Interior Ministry said. | Security forces started working to take back the Mariupol city council building from separatists on Tuesday night and continued into the early hours of Wednesday. By 6 a.m., Ukrainian security forces were in control and flew a Ukrainian flag off the building, witnesses and the Ukrainian Interior Ministry said. |
| But by Wednesday afternoon, the building was firmly back in the hands of separatists, who said that Ukrainian security forces gave it up to them without a fight when about 100 pro-Russian activists showed up earlier in the day. No weapons were visible among the crowd of separatists, several of whom said that security forces had simply melted away when they showed up. The Russian flag was flying over the city council building yet again, along with the black, blue and red banner that is the separatists’ emblem. Acrid tear gas still hung in the air, and the building itself was deserted. | But by Wednesday afternoon, the building was firmly back in the hands of separatists, who said that Ukrainian security forces gave it up to them without a fight when about 100 pro-Russian activists showed up earlier in the day. No weapons were visible among the crowd of separatists, several of whom said that security forces had simply melted away when they showed up. The Russian flag was flying over the city council building yet again, along with the black, blue and red banner that is the separatists’ emblem. Acrid tear gas still hung in the air, and the building itself was deserted. |
| If authorities manage to gain control of Mariupol, it would deal a blow to separatists’ plans for the referendum. But with the government and separatists routinely swapping territory in the east in recent days, the rapid turnover in Mariupol on Wednesday appeared to be just the latest in the back and forth. | If authorities manage to gain control of Mariupol, it would deal a blow to separatists’ plans for the referendum. But with the government and separatists routinely swapping territory in the east in recent days, the rapid turnover in Mariupol on Wednesday appeared to be just the latest in the back and forth. |
| A separatist leader in the Donetsk region said Wednesday that if residents decide in favor of independence from Kiev, he would seek to build a new state that would be independent both from Ukraine and Russia. | A separatist leader in the Donetsk region said Wednesday that if residents decide in favor of independence from Kiev, he would seek to build a new state that would be independent both from Ukraine and Russia. |
| “We plan to unite . . . on the principles of federalism to form a new state called Novorossia,” or New Russia, Miroslav Rudenko, a co-chairman of the separatist movement in the Donetsk region, told Russia’s Interfax news agency Wednesday. | “We plan to unite . . . on the principles of federalism to form a new state called Novorossia,” or New Russia, Miroslav Rudenko, a co-chairman of the separatist movement in the Donetsk region, told Russia’s Interfax news agency Wednesday. |
| Speaking before Putin made his surprise call for postponement of the separatist referendum, British Foreign Secretary William Hague charged during a visit to Kiev on Wednesday that the Putin government appeared intent on disrupting Ukraine’s upcoming elections or creating a pretext for military intervention. Hague also commended efforts by the interim Ukrainian government to restore order while exercising restraint and preparing for the national elections. | |
| “There should be doubt that the Russian government is trying to orchestrate conflict and provocation in the east and south of Ukraine and that the immediate goal is to disrupt elections on the 25th of May — although, of course, they may also be trying to provide a pretext for intervention by using civilians as cover,” Hague said. | “There should be doubt that the Russian government is trying to orchestrate conflict and provocation in the east and south of Ukraine and that the immediate goal is to disrupt elections on the 25th of May — although, of course, they may also be trying to provide a pretext for intervention by using civilians as cover,” Hague said. |
| Hague told reporters in Kiev that the Ukrainian government has shown determination to go forward with the elections despite what he said were Russia’s attempts to disrupt them. He said that an international group of about 1,000 election monitors would observe the balloting, including about 100 from the Britain. His country was also providing “technical know-how,” Hague said. | |
| “A failure to hold those elections would be very serious, I think, and would show from outside the holding of a democratic election can be undermined.” That would be “a terrible blow for democracy,” Hague said, adding: “And once postponed, who knows when they would be held?” | “A failure to hold those elections would be very serious, I think, and would show from outside the holding of a democratic election can be undermined.” That would be “a terrible blow for democracy,” Hague said, adding: “And once postponed, who knows when they would be held?” |
| In Moscow, Putin met Wednesday with Didier Burkhalter, chairman of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), to discuss the situation in Ukraine. Russian officials have called for negotiations headed by the OSCE that would give a seat to the pro-Russian separatists. Ukrainian authorities have said they also want negotiations, but not with the rebels in the east. | |
| “We are extremely concerned about how the situation is developing in Ukraine, and we continue our dialogue,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Ekho Moskvy radio on Wednesday. | “We are extremely concerned about how the situation is developing in Ukraine, and we continue our dialogue,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Ekho Moskvy radio on Wednesday. |
| Ukraine’s central bank said Wednesday that it had received the first $3.2 billion tranche of emergency loans from the International Monetary Fund, helping prop up the government’s teetering finances. | Ukraine’s central bank said Wednesday that it had received the first $3.2 billion tranche of emergency loans from the International Monetary Fund, helping prop up the government’s teetering finances. |
| The interim government took additional steps Tuesday to reassert its control by appointing a new military commander and shoring up security forces, even as some leaders made urgent calls for volunteers to take up arms against pro-Russian separatists in the eastern part of the country. | The interim government took additional steps Tuesday to reassert its control by appointing a new military commander and shoring up security forces, even as some leaders made urgent calls for volunteers to take up arms against pro-Russian separatists in the eastern part of the country. |
| Amid reports of fresh violence, former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko urged the creation of a “volunteer army” because neither Ukraine’s army nor its security services have been effective in handling outbreaks of rebellion, Interfax reported Tuesday. | Amid reports of fresh violence, former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko urged the creation of a “volunteer army” because neither Ukraine’s army nor its security services have been effective in handling outbreaks of rebellion, Interfax reported Tuesday. |
| Hers was one of many calls to form combat-ready units of “self-defense” forces ahead of May 25 presidential and mayoral elections. Andriy Tiron, battalion commander of the National Guard, told reporters in Kiev that demonstrators who helped oust the previous pro-Russian government were being urged to volunteer for military duty. But there was confusion about who would command them and what their duties would be. | Hers was one of many calls to form combat-ready units of “self-defense” forces ahead of May 25 presidential and mayoral elections. Andriy Tiron, battalion commander of the National Guard, told reporters in Kiev that demonstrators who helped oust the previous pro-Russian government were being urged to volunteer for military duty. But there was confusion about who would command them and what their duties would be. |
| In a brief statement that appeared on his official Web site, the acting president, Oleksandr Turchynov, said Lt. Gen. Anatoly Pushnyakov has been appointed to take command of the army. The statement offered no further details. Turchynov also published a decree sacking the top regional administrator in Odessa as violence continued to flare around eastern Ukraine. | In a brief statement that appeared on his official Web site, the acting president, Oleksandr Turchynov, said Lt. Gen. Anatoly Pushnyakov has been appointed to take command of the army. The statement offered no further details. Turchynov also published a decree sacking the top regional administrator in Odessa as violence continued to flare around eastern Ukraine. |
| Earlier, in the Luhansk region, about 20 armed militants destroyed a military radar station, according to the Web site of southern Ukraine’s prosecutor general. The report said the militants outnumbered Ukrainian soldiers at the installation and slipped away after the 4 a.m. attack. There was no mention of casualties. In perhaps another sign of the confusion and suspicions of mixed loyalties in parts of Ukraine, the prosecutor said there would be an investigation of the soldiers’ conduct. | Earlier, in the Luhansk region, about 20 armed militants destroyed a military radar station, according to the Web site of southern Ukraine’s prosecutor general. The report said the militants outnumbered Ukrainian soldiers at the installation and slipped away after the 4 a.m. attack. There was no mention of casualties. In perhaps another sign of the confusion and suspicions of mixed loyalties in parts of Ukraine, the prosecutor said there would be an investigation of the soldiers’ conduct. |
| Armed separatists also seized control of the main government building in the town of Debaltseve, a regional railway hub with a population of 26,000 and two large thermal power plants about 45 miles northeast of Donetsk, according to local media reports. | Armed separatists also seized control of the main government building in the town of Debaltseve, a regional railway hub with a population of 26,000 and two large thermal power plants about 45 miles northeast of Donetsk, according to local media reports. |
| In Odessa, social media appeared to be fanning tensions between pro-Russian and pro-Ukrainian activists days after 46 people died in violent clashes in the city. The Kyiv Post said late Monday that the rival groups have been using VKontakte — the Russian counterpart of Facebook — to rally supporters for demonstrations and counterdemonstrations and to single out individuals for reprisals. | In Odessa, social media appeared to be fanning tensions between pro-Russian and pro-Ukrainian activists days after 46 people died in violent clashes in the city. The Kyiv Post said late Monday that the rival groups have been using VKontakte — the Russian counterpart of Facebook — to rally supporters for demonstrations and counterdemonstrations and to single out individuals for reprisals. |
| Acting Interior Minister Arsen Avakov, Ukraine’s top security official, said Tuesday that an estimated 30 pro-Russian militants were killed and “dozens” were injured in fighting a day earlier around the eastern city of Slovyansk. Four members of Ukraine’s security forces were killed and about 20 were wounded as the interim government attempted to take control of the city. | Acting Interior Minister Arsen Avakov, Ukraine’s top security official, said Tuesday that an estimated 30 pro-Russian militants were killed and “dozens” were injured in fighting a day earlier around the eastern city of Slovyansk. Four members of Ukraine’s security forces were killed and about 20 were wounded as the interim government attempted to take control of the city. |
| A Ukrainian diplomat charged Tuesday that Russian “meddling” in Ukraine appeared aimed at disrupting the elections, which are less than three weeks away. But Danylo Lubkivsky, deputy minister for foreign affairs, said the interim government remained intent on ensuring that ballots would be cast in all parts of the country. He also reiterated the government’s interest in talking with regional leaders in rebellious areas about more autonomy for those regions. | A Ukrainian diplomat charged Tuesday that Russian “meddling” in Ukraine appeared aimed at disrupting the elections, which are less than three weeks away. But Danylo Lubkivsky, deputy minister for foreign affairs, said the interim government remained intent on ensuring that ballots would be cast in all parts of the country. He also reiterated the government’s interest in talking with regional leaders in rebellious areas about more autonomy for those regions. |
| “However, we will not engage in negotiations with terrorists,” Lubkivsky said at a news conference in Kiev. He also called the deadly clashes in the port city of Odessa “an unspeakable tragedy” and blamed the spread of the violence | “However, we will not engage in negotiations with terrorists,” Lubkivsky said at a news conference in Kiev. He also called the deadly clashes in the port city of Odessa “an unspeakable tragedy” and blamed the spread of the violence |
| on Russia | on Russia |
| . | . |
| German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Tuesday called for a second round of talks in Geneva. Russian officials also called for further talks but said pro-Russian separatists should be at the table. | German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Tuesday called for a second round of talks in Geneva. Russian officials also called for further talks but said pro-Russian separatists should be at the table. |
| “Getting together again in the same format, with the opposition to the current Ukrainian regime being absent at the table of negotiations, is unlikely to add anything,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said. “It is possible, of course, but we shall be going in circles,” he told reporters at the Council of Europe in Vienna, Interfax reported. | “Getting together again in the same format, with the opposition to the current Ukrainian regime being absent at the table of negotiations, is unlikely to add anything,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said. “It is possible, of course, but we shall be going in circles,” he told reporters at the Council of Europe in Vienna, Interfax reported. |
| Lavrov said Ukraine’s plan to hold elections on May 25 was “highly unusual” amid a military operation aimed at regaining control over the east. | Lavrov said Ukraine’s plan to hold elections on May 25 was “highly unusual” amid a military operation aimed at regaining control over the east. |
| Meanwhile, a pro-Ukrainian activist, Nikolay Yakubovich, who was taken hostage by separatists on Thursday, was exchanged for an unspecified number of separatist prisoners on Tuesday, according to local media. | Meanwhile, a pro-Ukrainian activist, Nikolay Yakubovich, who was taken hostage by separatists on Thursday, was exchanged for an unspecified number of separatist prisoners on Tuesday, according to local media. |
| Human Rights Watch said the fate of at least two dozen other people taken captive by pro-Russian separatists remained unknown. | Human Rights Watch said the fate of at least two dozen other people taken captive by pro-Russian separatists remained unknown. |
| Kunkle reported from Kiev. Denyer reproted from Mariupol. Alex Ryabchyn in Donetsk and Anna Nemtsova in Odessa contributed to this report. | Kunkle reported from Kiev. Denyer reproted from Mariupol. Alex Ryabchyn in Donetsk and Anna Nemtsova in Odessa contributed to this report. |