Section: KXAN (USA)
Ukraine: rebel attacks prevent weapons pullback
KIEV, Ukraine (AP) — A Ukrainian military spokesman says continuing attacks from rebels are delaying Ukrainian forces’ pullback of heavy weapons from the front line in the country’s east. Under a peace agreement reached on Feb. 12, both sides are to withdraw their heavy weapons anywhere from 25 to 70 kilometers to create a buffer...
Four in custody after blast kills 2
KIEV, Ukraine (AP) — A Ukrainian news agency says four suspects are in custody in connection with a deadly explosion today in Ukraine’s second largest city, and for allegedly planning other attacks. The bomb went off at a march that marked the first anniversary of the ouster of president Viktor Yanukovych (yah-noo-KOH’-vich)....
Ukraine claims 12 cease-fire violations overnight
KIEV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian officials say Russia-backed separatists violated a troubled cease-fire a dozen times during the night with artillery and rocket attacks and an attempt to storm a Ukrainian encampment. Explosions were heard in the main rebel-held city Donetsk around dawn on Sunday and a rebel website says several buildings in the...
Pope, Merkel discuss Ukraine and fight against poverty
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have discussed the conflict in Ukraine and the fight against poverty during a private audience, the second between the two. The Vatican described the 40-minute private meeting Saturday as “very cordial.” Merkel told reporters that the discussions were wide-ranging, including...
Thousands gather in Moscow to protest ‘fascist coup’ in Kiev
MOSCOW (AP) — Thousands of protesters have gathered in downtown Moscow to demonstrate against what they describe as a “fascist coup” one year ago in neighboring Ukraine. The demonstrators gathered near Red Square on Saturday to protest events in Ukraine, where a pro-European protest movement last year led to the ouster of the country’s...
US, Britain discussing new Russia sanctions over Ukraine
LONDON (AP) — The United States and Britain are discussing new sanctions against Russia as Ukraine’s week-old cease-fire proves ineffective. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says Moscow is being “extraordinarily craven” for supporting Ukrainian separatists in fighting that has raged on in recent days. Kerry said before a Saturday meeting...
Russian conscripts tell of fears of being sent to Ukraine
MOSCOW (AP) — When Alexander was due to finish his year of mandatory military service in October, his commander told him he had no choice: He had to sign a contract to extend his stay in the army and head to southern Russia for troop exercises. The 20-year-old knew that meant he might end up fighting alongside pro-Russian separatists in eastern...
Ukraine, rebels say cease-fire violations persist
KIEV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine’s military and Russia-backed separatist rebels are accusing each other of continuing to mount attacks a week after a cease-fire was called. Ukrainian security spokesman Col. Andriy Lysenko said Saturday that one serviceman was killed and 40 wounded in attacks over the past day. He did not state a total number of...
UN food agency facing worst challenge since World War II
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The head of the World Food Program says the U.N. agency is confronting its worst challenge since World War II in trying to tackle five top-level humanitarian crises at the same time. Ertharin Cousin said in an interview Friday with The Associated Press that the five crises — in Syria, Iraq, Central African Republic, South...
Putin says Russia will never yield to foreign pressure
MOSCOW (AP) — President Vladimir Putin says he will not allow anyone to get a military advantage over Russia and pledges that the country will never yield to foreign pressure. In a tough statement that comes amid tensions with the West over Ukraine, Putin warned Friday that “no one should have any illusions that it’s possible to achieve...
