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| Ukrainians mark patriotic holiday ahead of separatist referendum | Ukrainians mark patriotic holiday ahead of separatist referendum |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| KIEV, Ukraine — Ukrainians marked an important patriotic holiday Friday with solemn graveside tributes to those who gave their lives fighting Nazi Germany for the Soviet Union, but there were few of the usual grand parades because of security concerns. | KIEV, Ukraine — Ukrainians marked an important patriotic holiday Friday with solemn graveside tributes to those who gave their lives fighting Nazi Germany for the Soviet Union, but there were few of the usual grand parades because of security concerns. |
| With little sign of the clashes that many had feared, the holiday seemed to offer a reprieve after days of escalating violence between pro-Russian separatists and supporters of a united Ukraine. Amid mixed messages of conciliation and menace from Russia, however, it was not clear how long the calm might last ahead of an independence referendum scheduled for Sunday in restive eastern Ukraine. Pro-Russian separatists have vowed to proceed with the vote despite a call by Russian President Vladimir Putin to postpone the referendum. | With little sign of the clashes that many had feared, the holiday seemed to offer a reprieve after days of escalating violence between pro-Russian separatists and supporters of a united Ukraine. Amid mixed messages of conciliation and menace from Russia, however, it was not clear how long the calm might last ahead of an independence referendum scheduled for Sunday in restive eastern Ukraine. Pro-Russian separatists have vowed to proceed with the vote despite a call by Russian President Vladimir Putin to postpone the referendum. |
| Putin, marking the 1945 Soviet victory over the Nazis, flew Friday to Crimea, the autonomous Ukrainian region that was annexed by Russian in March after an independence referendum similar to the one scheduled for Sunday in eastern Ukraine. Arriving in Sevastopol, the home of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, Putin defended the annexation, saying Moscow had a right to absorb Crimea. It was the Russian president’s first visit to the annexed peninsula. | |
| On the eve of Friday’s celebrations, the Ukrainian government offered talks to the separatists on matters such as regional autonomy. But there was no indication that a negotiated solution was possible at this point. | |
| In Donetsk, one of the strongholds of the separatist movement, only a scuffle or two broke out as about 2,000 people gathered Friday under a huge Soviet war memorial and statue for the city’s official celebration of victory in World War II, which many Russians and Ukrainians know as “the Great Patriotic War.” | In Donetsk, one of the strongholds of the separatist movement, only a scuffle or two broke out as about 2,000 people gathered Friday under a huge Soviet war memorial and statue for the city’s official celebration of victory in World War II, which many Russians and Ukrainians know as “the Great Patriotic War.” |
| Elderly veterans marched to the event, many in uniform and wearing medals. Donetsk’s elected mayor gave a speech commemorating the people’s sacrifices, as flags fluttered in salute to the Soviet army. Ukrainian flags were absent for the occasion, but the Ukrainian national anthem was played twice. No one booed, but nobody sang along, either. | Elderly veterans marched to the event, many in uniform and wearing medals. Donetsk’s elected mayor gave a speech commemorating the people’s sacrifices, as flags fluttered in salute to the Soviet army. Ukrainian flags were absent for the occasion, but the Ukrainian national anthem was played twice. No one booed, but nobody sang along, either. |
| As the events came to an end, a man in a camouflage uniform briefly scuffled with members of the band for playing the Ukrainian anthem. Another man in camouflage seized the microphone to complain about the anthem. | As the events came to an end, a man in a camouflage uniform briefly scuffled with members of the band for playing the Ukrainian anthem. Another man in camouflage seized the microphone to complain about the anthem. |
| “If we continue to obey the fascist junta, our children will become fascists and nationalists,” he said. He then shouted “Donbas,” a name for the eastern Ukrainian heartland, and many people in the crowd clapped and joined in. A separate rally for the pro-Russian separatists was planned afterward in Lenin Square. | “If we continue to obey the fascist junta, our children will become fascists and nationalists,” he said. He then shouted “Donbas,” a name for the eastern Ukrainian heartland, and many people in the crowd clapped and joined in. A separate rally for the pro-Russian separatists was planned afterward in Lenin Square. |
| In Odessa, the Black Sea port city where dozens of people died in violence a week ago, a few hundred people gathered in Shevchenko Park to lay flowers around a memorial. Some carried banners blaming authorities for the May 2 clash. | In Odessa, the Black Sea port city where dozens of people died in violence a week ago, a few hundred people gathered in Shevchenko Park to lay flowers around a memorial. Some carried banners blaming authorities for the May 2 clash. |
| “It is very important for us to declare that we would never stop our struggle for changes in Odessa, [and] never forgive Ukrainian nationalists for attacking and burning our people,” said Vera Butuk, one of the survivors of a fire in the city’s Trades Union House building that killed dozens of separatists. | “It is very important for us to declare that we would never stop our struggle for changes in Odessa, [and] never forgive Ukrainian nationalists for attacking and burning our people,” said Vera Butuk, one of the survivors of a fire in the city’s Trades Union House building that killed dozens of separatists. |
| When the official ceremonies concluded, about 150 pro-Russian activists marched to Kulikovo Field, shouting slogans denouncing Ukraine’s interim government. “No to fascism!” they cried. “Fascism will not succeed!” | When the official ceremonies concluded, about 150 pro-Russian activists marched to Kulikovo Field, shouting slogans denouncing Ukraine’s interim government. “No to fascism!” they cried. “Fascism will not succeed!” |
| In Kiev, church bells pealed about 10 a.m. around the city, and when they fell silent, music wafted from encampments in Independence Square, where a protest movement began last winter against Ukraine’s pro-Russian president, Viktor Yanukovych. Bagpipes wailed, and dreams beat a marching cadence for a sparse crowd that listened to speakers and performers in a low-key observance of the day. Yanukovych was deposed as president in February and fled to Russia. | In Kiev, church bells pealed about 10 a.m. around the city, and when they fell silent, music wafted from encampments in Independence Square, where a protest movement began last winter against Ukraine’s pro-Russian president, Viktor Yanukovych. Bagpipes wailed, and dreams beat a marching cadence for a sparse crowd that listened to speakers and performers in a low-key observance of the day. Yanukovych was deposed as president in February and fled to Russia. |
| At the Park of Eternal Glory in Kiev, acting President Oleksandr Turchynov joined former heads of state to lay a wreath at a memorial to those who died in World War II. Security was heavy, and people were screened for weapons at metal detectors. Ukrainian officials canceled plans for a parade and urged civic organizations to refrain from large celebrations in the city as a security precaution. | At the Park of Eternal Glory in Kiev, acting President Oleksandr Turchynov joined former heads of state to lay a wreath at a memorial to those who died in World War II. Security was heavy, and people were screened for weapons at metal detectors. Ukrainian officials canceled plans for a parade and urged civic organizations to refrain from large celebrations in the city as a security precaution. |
| Turchynov and acting Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk issued a joint statement late Thursday urging pro-Russian militants to lay down their arms immediately in exchange for amnesty. In the name of Ukrainian unity, they said the interim government would use “all legal means” to restore order in restive areas. | |
| But they also pledged to conduct talks with all political parties and representatives in all of Ukraine’s regions on subjects such as local autonomy and minority rights. The Ukrainian leaders said those talks would be held with the assistance of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. | But they also pledged to conduct talks with all political parties and representatives in all of Ukraine’s regions on subjects such as local autonomy and minority rights. The Ukrainian leaders said those talks would be held with the assistance of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. |
| “The purpose of this dialogue is to develop a national consensus on key issues for the Ukrainian society,” they said. “We invite all political actors and the public to actively participate in this initiative.” | “The purpose of this dialogue is to develop a national consensus on key issues for the Ukrainian society,” they said. “We invite all political actors and the public to actively participate in this initiative.” |
| The call for unity came hours after pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine vowed to press ahead with their referendum on independence. | The call for unity came hours after pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine vowed to press ahead with their referendum on independence. |
| Having captured government buildings across eastern Ukraine and vehemently denounced the interim government in Kiev as fascists, the leaders of the self-styled Donetsk People’s Republic argued that they would lose credibility if they canceled the vote. | Having captured government buildings across eastern Ukraine and vehemently denounced the interim government in Kiev as fascists, the leaders of the self-styled Donetsk People’s Republic argued that they would lose credibility if they canceled the vote. |
| “Civil war has already begun,” Denis Pushilin, a prominent leader of the group, said at a packed news conference in Donetsk. “The referendum can put a stop to it and start a political process.” | “Civil war has already begun,” Denis Pushilin, a prominent leader of the group, said at a packed news conference in Donetsk. “The referendum can put a stop to it and start a political process.” |
| [READ: Who are these men defying both Putin and Kiev?] | [READ: Who are these men defying both Putin and Kiev?] |
| The decision to proceed with the vote could be seen as a rebuff to Putin, whose call Wednesday for a postponement struck a more conciliatory tone than his previous statements on Ukraine. | The decision to proceed with the vote could be seen as a rebuff to Putin, whose call Wednesday for a postponement struck a more conciliatory tone than his previous statements on Ukraine. |
| It remained unclear what a referendum might look like, who would participate, how fair it might be, or even in how many or which cities it would be held. | It remained unclear what a referendum might look like, who would participate, how fair it might be, or even in how many or which cities it would be held. |
| But the separatists clearly felt they had little choice but to press on: Canceling the vote would leave them without even a fig leaf of popular legitimacy and deflate their movement, perhaps fatally. | But the separatists clearly felt they had little choice but to press on: Canceling the vote would leave them without even a fig leaf of popular legitimacy and deflate their movement, perhaps fatally. |
| Ukraine’s acting prime minister, Arseniy Yatsenyuk, said Thursday that any referendum would lack legitimacy. Ukraine has said questions about the country’s future should be decided in a nationwide presidential election scheduled for May 25, not in any regional vote. | Ukraine’s acting prime minister, Arseniy Yatsenyuk, said Thursday that any referendum would lack legitimacy. Ukraine has said questions about the country’s future should be decided in a nationwide presidential election scheduled for May 25, not in any regional vote. |
| Feeding a sense that the let-up in tensions had been fleeting, Putin on Thursday led major military exercises that simulated a response to a massive attack on Russian soil, defense officials in Moscow said. | Feeding a sense that the let-up in tensions had been fleeting, Putin on Thursday led major military exercises that simulated a response to a massive attack on Russian soil, defense officials in Moscow said. |
| Kremlin-backed television channels showed vast salvos being fired across Russia, including intercontinental ballistic missiles from submarines, cruise missiles from a Tupolev bomber and scores of Grad rockets raining down on a practice range. | Kremlin-backed television channels showed vast salvos being fired across Russia, including intercontinental ballistic missiles from submarines, cruise missiles from a Tupolev bomber and scores of Grad rockets raining down on a practice range. |
| Putin said the strikes were part of exercises that were planned in November to demonstrate the high readiness of the country’s “strategic offensive and defensive forces.” | Putin said the strikes were part of exercises that were planned in November to demonstrate the high readiness of the country’s “strategic offensive and defensive forces.” |
| The separatists called the referendum to decide whether the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine, the nation’s industrial heartland, should declare independence. | The separatists called the referendum to decide whether the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine, the nation’s industrial heartland, should declare independence. |
| But with little coordination or trust among separatist leaders in different cities across the region, it was far from clear what a putative new republic would look like. | But with little coordination or trust among separatist leaders in different cities across the region, it was far from clear what a putative new republic would look like. |
| There was also widespread skepticism about the separatists’ ability to stage a referendum with even a minimum of credibility. | There was also widespread skepticism about the separatists’ ability to stage a referendum with even a minimum of credibility. |
| Boris Litvinov, a leader of the referendum effort, said that about 3 million ballots have already been printed and 2.7 million of them distributed. The ballots ask voters whether they support the “independence of the Donetsk People’s Republic.” | Boris Litvinov, a leader of the referendum effort, said that about 3 million ballots have already been printed and 2.7 million of them distributed. The ballots ask voters whether they support the “independence of the Donetsk People’s Republic.” |
| But he said authorities in Kiev have denied the separatists access to voter rolls. Therefore, he said, the referendum would be an “open process” in which people would simply turn up at polling centers, show their passports, sign their names and cast their ballots. | But he said authorities in Kiev have denied the separatists access to voter rolls. Therefore, he said, the referendum would be an “open process” in which people would simply turn up at polling centers, show their passports, sign their names and cast their ballots. |
| After two days of mixed messages from Russia, Putin’s real intentions about the referendum remained hard to read. Analysts in Moscow said he could be playing a double game, disassociating Russia from what is likely to be a deeply flawed contest while maintaining flexibility in how to respond. | After two days of mixed messages from Russia, Putin’s real intentions about the referendum remained hard to read. Analysts in Moscow said he could be playing a double game, disassociating Russia from what is likely to be a deeply flawed contest while maintaining flexibility in how to respond. |
| “Russia is trying to distance itself from the separatists, but if referendums are held, Russia might be able to benefit from them,’’ said Alexei Makarkin at the Moscow-based Center for Political Technologies. | “Russia is trying to distance itself from the separatists, but if referendums are held, Russia might be able to benefit from them,’’ said Alexei Makarkin at the Moscow-based Center for Political Technologies. |
| The Pentagon and NATO continued on Thursday to dismiss a claim by Putin that Russian troops had been pulled back from the Ukrainian border. The disagreement sparked a Twitter spat Thursday between the Russian Foreign Ministry and NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, who said he had seen no sign of a withdrawal. | The Pentagon and NATO continued on Thursday to dismiss a claim by Putin that Russian troops had been pulled back from the Ukrainian border. The disagreement sparked a Twitter spat Thursday between the Russian Foreign Ministry and NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, who said he had seen no sign of a withdrawal. |
| In the streets of Donetsk, confusion reigned Thursday about what the vote really means, and there appeared to be agreement on only one thing: People want peace and stability to return. | In the streets of Donetsk, confusion reigned Thursday about what the vote really means, and there appeared to be agreement on only one thing: People want peace and stability to return. |
| Many residents feel that democratically elected president Viktor Yanukovych, who fled the country in February, was ousted illegally through street protests. To them, the interim government in Kiev that replaced him does not represent people in the mainly Russian-speaking east and is in league with Ukrainian ultranationalists. | Many residents feel that democratically elected president Viktor Yanukovych, who fled the country in February, was ousted illegally through street protests. To them, the interim government in Kiev that replaced him does not represent people in the mainly Russian-speaking east and is in league with Ukrainian ultranationalists. |
| But people expressed a wide range of views on the best way forward, which the yes-no question posed by the referendum will not be able to capture, and few seemed to want to become part of Russia. | But people expressed a wide range of views on the best way forward, which the yes-no question posed by the referendum will not be able to capture, and few seemed to want to become part of Russia. |
| Indeed, polls show that most people in eastern Ukraine want the country to stay together, although many would like greater autonomy. | Indeed, polls show that most people in eastern Ukraine want the country to stay together, although many would like greater autonomy. |
| A 31-year-old doctor who gave her name only as Tatyana — like others interviewed, she declined to give her full name — said she would not vote. “I have not received any invitation or information,” she said while walking her baby in a stroller. “And even if I wanted to give my opinion, I am afraid of the men with guns.” | A 31-year-old doctor who gave her name only as Tatyana — like others interviewed, she declined to give her full name — said she would not vote. “I have not received any invitation or information,” she said while walking her baby in a stroller. “And even if I wanted to give my opinion, I am afraid of the men with guns.” |
| Three men chatting on a street corner expressed indifference toward the whole process, which they said described as maneuvering by political leaders and business magnates that did not concern them. “We can’t do anything; our voice does not matter,” said Zhenya, a 29-year-old warehouse worker. | Three men chatting on a street corner expressed indifference toward the whole process, which they said described as maneuvering by political leaders and business magnates that did not concern them. “We can’t do anything; our voice does not matter,” said Zhenya, a 29-year-old warehouse worker. |
| A group of construction workers who were having a drink after work near the city’s central market said they support the referendum because they want their region to be independent of Kiev. But they said they do not want to join Russia. | A group of construction workers who were having a drink after work near the city’s central market said they support the referendum because they want their region to be independent of Kiev. But they said they do not want to join Russia. |
| “There is a lot of antagonism toward Kiev, but there is a still a lot of support for Donbas staying in a united Ukraine,” said Adam Swain, an associate professor at the University of Nottingham who was visiting Donetsk and has been conducting economic research in Ukraine for two decades. | “There is a lot of antagonism toward Kiev, but there is a still a lot of support for Donbas staying in a united Ukraine,” said Adam Swain, an associate professor at the University of Nottingham who was visiting Donetsk and has been conducting economic research in Ukraine for two decades. |
| Separatist leaders said there was still room for negotiation or even postponing the referendum if Kiev withdrew its troops from the region. But they said that if a majority votes yes in the referendum, they would proclaim independence. The question of whether to join Russia would come later, they said. | Separatist leaders said there was still room for negotiation or even postponing the referendum if Kiev withdrew its troops from the region. But they said that if a majority votes yes in the referendum, they would proclaim independence. The question of whether to join Russia would come later, they said. |
| “The only negotiation with Kiev will be for them to withdraw their troops,” Litvinov said. | “The only negotiation with Kiev will be for them to withdraw their troops,” Litvinov said. |
| Birnbaum reported from Moscow and Kunkle from Kiev. Alex Ryabchyn in Donetsk and William Branigin in Washington contributed to this report. | Birnbaum reported from Moscow and Kunkle from Kiev. Alex Ryabchyn in Donetsk and William Branigin in Washington contributed to this report. |