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Ukraine crisis: 'Clashes' near Luhansk airport ahead of talks Ukraine crisis: Troops abandon Luhansk airport after clashes
(about 1 hour later)
Ukrainian forces are battling pro-Russian rebels at the international airport of the eastern city of Luhansk, a Ukrainian military official has said. Ukrainian forces have withdrawn from the airport of the eastern city of Luhansk following clashes with pro-Russian rebels, military officials say.
The separatists earlier claimed they had seized the airport, but the army said the fighting was still ongoing. The announcement came after the two sides were engaged in all-night fighting.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has urged negotiators meeting later in Belarus to make an "immediate ceasefire" their priority. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has urged negotiators meeting in the Belarus capital, Minsk, to make an "immediate ceasefire" their priority.
Some 2,600 people have died in eastern Ukraine since fighting began in April.Some 2,600 people have died in eastern Ukraine since fighting began in April.
The conflict broke out after Russia's annexation of Ukraine's southern Crimea peninsula in March.The conflict broke out after Russia's annexation of Ukraine's southern Crimea peninsula in March.
The rebels have been gaining ground on Ukrainian forces in recent days, in both the Luhansk and Donetsk regions, and further south around the port of Mariupol.The rebels have been gaining ground on Ukrainian forces in recent days, in both the Luhansk and Donetsk regions, and further south around the port of Mariupol.
Ukraine and the West blame Russian military support for the rebel advances, saying armoured columns have crossed the border - allegations rejected by Russia's President Vladimir Putin.Ukraine and the West blame Russian military support for the rebel advances, saying armoured columns have crossed the border - allegations rejected by Russia's President Vladimir Putin.
He has accused European leaders of ignoring the Ukrainian army "directly targeting civilians".He has accused European leaders of ignoring the Ukrainian army "directly targeting civilians".
On Sunday, he said the issue of "statehood" for eastern Ukraine needed to be discussed to ensure the interests of local people were "definitely upheld".On Sunday, he said the issue of "statehood" for eastern Ukraine needed to be discussed to ensure the interests of local people were "definitely upheld".
'No military intervention''No military intervention'
Ukrainian military spokesman Leonid Matyukhin told national media that troops were fighting a Russian-backed tank division near Luhansk. Ukraine's security council confirmed on Monday that its troops had withdrawn from Luhansk airport "in an organised manner".
He said government forces held the airport throughout the night despite rebel attacks. Clashes are said to still be taking place near the airport of the city of Donetsk, with separatists claiming that two Ukrainian platoons have surrendered.
Clashes are also said to be taking place at the airport of the city of Donetsk, with separatists claiming that two Ukrainian platoons have surrendered. There were also reports of an attack on a Ukrainian patrol vessel in the Azov Sea on Sunday night.
In addition, there were reports of an attack on a Ukrainian patrol vessel in the Azov Sea on Sunday night. Meanwhile, Ukrainian and Russian officials are due to hold talks with separatist rebels and international monitors in Minsk.
The latest fighting comes as Ukrainian and Russian officials are due to hold talks with separatist rebels and international monitors in the Belarus capital, Minsk.
The meeting of the so-called Contact Group will include representatives from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.The meeting of the so-called Contact Group will include representatives from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
Mr Lavrov said he was counting on the talks to focus on "agreeing an immediate and unconditional ceasefire".Mr Lavrov said he was counting on the talks to focus on "agreeing an immediate and unconditional ceasefire".
He also insisted there would be "no military intervention" from Russia in Ukraine.He also insisted there would be "no military intervention" from Russia in Ukraine.
"We are for an exclusively peaceful resolution of that most serious crisis, that tragedy," Mr Lavrov told students in Moscow."We are for an exclusively peaceful resolution of that most serious crisis, that tragedy," Mr Lavrov told students in Moscow.
Last week's first direct talks between President Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart, Petro Poroshenko, did not lead to any major breakthrough.Last week's first direct talks between President Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart, Petro Poroshenko, did not lead to any major breakthrough.
Mr Poroshenko on Monday again accused Russia of "direct and open aggression" in eastern Ukraine.Mr Poroshenko on Monday again accused Russia of "direct and open aggression" in eastern Ukraine.
But Mr Putin earlier said Russia could not "stand aside when people are being shot at almost at point blank".But Mr Putin earlier said Russia could not "stand aside when people are being shot at almost at point blank".
He described the rebels' actions as "the natural reaction of people who are defending their rights".He described the rebels' actions as "the natural reaction of people who are defending their rights".
Mr Putin's comments came after the EU gave Russia a one-week ultimatum to reverse course in Ukraine or face more sanctions.Mr Putin's comments came after the EU gave Russia a one-week ultimatum to reverse course in Ukraine or face more sanctions.
The Russian leader dismissed the EU threat, accusing it of "backing a coup d'etat" in Ukraine.The Russian leader dismissed the EU threat, accusing it of "backing a coup d'etat" in Ukraine.
The EU and US have already imposed asset freezes and travel bans on many senior Russian officials and separatist leaders in eastern Ukraine.The EU and US have already imposed asset freezes and travel bans on many senior Russian officials and separatist leaders in eastern Ukraine.
War in eastern Ukraine: The human costWar in eastern Ukraine: The human cost