This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-29891556

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Ukraine President Poroshenko's threat after rebel polls Ukraine crisis: President Poroshenko's threat after rebel polls
(about 3 hours later)
Ukraine's president is to chair a crisis meeting of security chiefs, after a rebel-held vote that he said jeopardised "the entire peace process".Ukraine's president is to chair a crisis meeting of security chiefs, after a rebel-held vote that he said jeopardised "the entire peace process".
Petro Poroshenko proposed scrapping a law, agreed under the 5 September truce deal, which gives special status to the eastern Donetsk and Luhansk areas.Petro Poroshenko proposed scrapping a law, agreed under the 5 September truce deal, which gives special status to the eastern Donetsk and Luhansk areas.
Two pro-Russian leaders were declared the winners of Sunday's polls. Under the truce, the regions were to hold Ukraine-run elections in December.
Under the terms of the truce, Ukraine was meant to hold elections in the two regions in December. The two pro-Russian separatist leaders declared to have won Sunday's polls are being sworn in.
The West says the rebel-held elections are illegal but Russia is backing them. Western states say the rebel-held elections were illegal but Russia backed them.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, speaking in Vienna, said Sunday's polls were "unfortunate and counterproductive", and the situation in eastern Ukraine remained a matter of deep concern.
More than 4,000 people have been killed in fighting in eastern Ukraine since April.More than 4,000 people have been killed in fighting in eastern Ukraine since April.
Ukraine accuses Russia of arming the rebels and sending Russian regular troops across the border - a claim denied by Moscow.Ukraine accuses Russia of arming the rebels and sending Russian regular troops across the border - a claim denied by Moscow.
Analysis: David Stern, BBC News, KievAnalysis: David Stern, BBC News, Kiev
If Ukraine's security council accepts President Petro Poroshenko's proposal, it may be just a symbolic gesture. After all, the two breakaway eastern regions already have declared their own "special status" by setting up their own governments and holding elections. But Mr Poroshenko may go even further.If Ukraine's security council accepts President Petro Poroshenko's proposal, it may be just a symbolic gesture. After all, the two breakaway eastern regions already have declared their own "special status" by setting up their own governments and holding elections. But Mr Poroshenko may go even further.
He is under enormous pressure right now to show that he is not allowing the two statelets to cement their positions, and create a frozen conflict. Tellingly, in his statement the Ukrainian leader did not say he would scrap the Minsk peace plan altogether, saying instead he would recommend "adjustments" to it.He is under enormous pressure right now to show that he is not allowing the two statelets to cement their positions, and create a frozen conflict. Tellingly, in his statement the Ukrainian leader did not say he would scrap the Minsk peace plan altogether, saying instead he would recommend "adjustments" to it.
But the insurgents and their backers in Moscow may say any changes to the agreement that Kiev undertakes are tantamount to revoking it. Given the heavy artillery and fighters seen streaming into the region recently, the future of the shaky truce seems very much under doubt at the moment.But the insurgents and their backers in Moscow may say any changes to the agreement that Kiev undertakes are tantamount to revoking it. Given the heavy artillery and fighters seen streaming into the region recently, the future of the shaky truce seems very much under doubt at the moment.
'Sham elections''Sham elections'
Addressing the nation on TV late Monday, President Poroshenko said he would hold a meeting of Ukraine's Security and Defence Council on Tuesday to propose abolishing the law granting special self-government to rebel-held areas.Addressing the nation on TV late Monday, President Poroshenko said he would hold a meeting of Ukraine's Security and Defence Council on Tuesday to propose abolishing the law granting special self-government to rebel-held areas.
He described the 2 November "pseudo-elections" in Donetsk and Luhansk as a "farce at gunpoint" which would never be recognised as legitimate.He described the 2 November "pseudo-elections" in Donetsk and Luhansk as a "farce at gunpoint" which would never be recognised as legitimate.
Sunday's polls, he said, were "a gross violation" of the Minsk agreement - a roadmap to a peaceful settlement agreed by Ukraine, Russia, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and also rebel delegations.Sunday's polls, he said, were "a gross violation" of the Minsk agreement - a roadmap to a peaceful settlement agreed by Ukraine, Russia, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and also rebel delegations.
"We demonstrated to residents of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, as well as to the whole world, that we are sincere in our desire for political settlement," he said. "The militants refused this opportunity.""We demonstrated to residents of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, as well as to the whole world, that we are sincere in our desire for political settlement," he said. "The militants refused this opportunity."
Ukraine and the West have always insisted the rebel territories must abide by the Minsk deal and hold the local elections under Ukrainian law in December.Ukraine and the West have always insisted the rebel territories must abide by the Minsk deal and hold the local elections under Ukrainian law in December.
The US said it condemned the "illegitimate, so-called 'elections' held on Sunday" and was "concerned by a Russian foreign ministry statement that seeks to legitimise [them]".The US said it condemned the "illegitimate, so-called 'elections' held on Sunday" and was "concerned by a Russian foreign ministry statement that seeks to legitimise [them]".
EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said the polls were "a new obstacle on the path towards peace", while Germany said Russia's backing of the vote was "incomprehensible".EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said the polls were "a new obstacle on the path towards peace", while Germany said Russia's backing of the vote was "incomprehensible".
German Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokesman, Steffen Seibert, warned Russia could face further sanctions as a result of its position.German Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokesman, Steffen Seibert, warned Russia could face further sanctions as a result of its position.
Russia earlier said it respected "the will of the people of the south-east". It called for a "sustainable dialogue" between the authorities in Kiev and the rebels.Russia earlier said it respected "the will of the people of the south-east". It called for a "sustainable dialogue" between the authorities in Kiev and the rebels.
Fragile truce 'Talks with anyone'
Results released on Monday showed Alexander Zakharchenko, the self-declared prime minister in Donetsk, had won the poll to become the head of the region. His party also came first in the parliamentary election. Alexander Zakharchenko, the self-declared prime minister of the Donetsk People's Republic before his election on Sunday, was inaugurated as its president at a ceremony in a city theatre on Tuesday.
In Luhansk, the incumbent rebel prime minister, Igor Plotnitsky, was declared the winner. Speaking to reporters, he said he was ready for peace "talks with anyone including Petro Poroshenko", Interfax news agency reports.
They are both expected to be officially sworn in later on Tuesday. He also laid claim to the entire Donetsk region, parts of which remain under Ukrainian government control, for the DNR.
Both sides have repeatedly violated the ceasefire agreed in September. The incumbent rebel prime minister in the Luhansk People's Republic, Igor Plotnitsky, was also due to be sworn in on Tuesday.
Both the government and rebel sides have repeatedly violated the ceasefire agreed in September.
The separatist insurrection erupted in the east after Russia annexed Ukraine's southern Crimea peninsula, weeks after Ukraine's pro-Russian President, Viktor Yanukovych, was forced out of office by mass protests in Kiev.The separatist insurrection erupted in the east after Russia annexed Ukraine's southern Crimea peninsula, weeks after Ukraine's pro-Russian President, Viktor Yanukovych, was forced out of office by mass protests in Kiev.
Are you in the Ukraine? You can share your experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. If you are willing to be contacted by a BBC journalist, please leave a contact number.Are you in the Ukraine? You can share your experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. If you are willing to be contacted by a BBC journalist, please leave a contact number.
Have your sayHave your say