Foreign ministers from Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France agree on a plan for a resumption of the cease-fire in eastern Ukraine - AP

VIDEO (English): Full statements by the Ukraine, Russia, Germany, France foreign ministers on E. Ukraine ceasefire - YouTube

Joint Declaration by the Foreign Ministers of Ukraine, Russia, France and Germany - Auswärtiges Amt

Kiev Ready for Talks With Independence Supporters Anywhere: Poroshenko’s Office - RIA Novosti

Separatist PM open to reinstalling a truce, "We can waive some of our political demands for a peace settlement in our region” - Euro Asia News

Ukraine Wants to Seal Its Russian Border - The Daily Beast

Ten including child dead in artillery fire in Luhansk region: Luhansk People's Republic - The Voice of Russia

VIDEO: Live footage of Luhansk residential area bombed by the Ukrainian army - YouTube

VIDEO: Devastation and bodies in Luhansk - LiveLeak.com

VIDEO: More on Luhansk bombing aftermath - LiveLeak.com

VIDEO (English Subtitles) - A longer footage of the airstrike aftermath in Luganskaya village - LiveLeak.com

Separatist commander Igor Strelkov: After the Ukrainian army blew up a pipeline, no sources of water supply in Slavyansk and Kramatorsk - Facebook.com

Russian REN-TV Channel Says Its Journalists Deliberately Targeted in Ukraine - RIA Novosti

Lugansk People’s Republic militiamen free Ukrainian journalists - ITAR-TASS

Cluster bomb found in Donetsk region unexploded - The Voice of Russia

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UN: 160,000 refugees fled the fighting in Donetsk and Lugansk, Two-thirds went to Russia while the rest is staying in Ukraine - usatoday

UN refugee agency warns of ‘sharp rise’ in people fleeing eastern Ukraine - United Nations News Centre

VIDEO: Ukraine: Number of displaced dramatically increases - euronews

Many Ukrainians Flee to Russia, Angry, Afraid, Determined to Stay - WSJ

18,000 Ukrainian Refugees in Russian Accommodation Centers: Emergencies Ministry - RIA Novosti

500 Ukrainian Refugees Arrive in Crimea Daily: Official - RIA Novosti

VIDEO (English Subtitles): Refugees from Luhansk - YouTube

VIDEO: Evacuation of Children From Kramatorsk Orphanage - YouTube

To contact Bartolo email peaceloversingle_at_gmail.com (replacing _at_ with @)

Editor Note: Pressured by neocons and the mainstream U.S. media, the Obama administration is charting a dangerous course by seeking a military solution to Ukraine’s political crisis and possibly provoking Moscow to intervene to protect ethnic Russians.

By Ray McGovern

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko – by thumbing his nose at the leaders of Russia, Germany and France as they repeatedly appealed to him to renew the fragile ceasefire in eastern Ukraine – has left himself and his U.S. patrons isolated, though that’s not the version of the story that you’ll read in the mainstream U.S. press.

Ukraine relaunches attack on rebels after failed truce - THE DAILY STAR

VIDEO: Ukraine’s Poroshenko announce end of ceasefire, vows to attack rebels - Reuters

VIDEO: Ukraine attacks separatists after truce fails - Al Jazeera

Ukraine retakes border crossing from rebels as Poroshenko goes on attack - The Guardian

Pro-Russian rebels capture police HQ in Ukraine - The Seattle Times

VIDEO: Bus blasted in Ukraine's Kramatorsk, at least 4 dead - YouTube

VIDEO: Kramatorsk. Mortar shelling. Video surveillance cameras - LiveLeak.com

Crew of Russian TV journalists come under mortar fire in Ukraine, Three were killed within the past month - ITAR-TASS

Slavyansk blacked out as a result of warfare in eastern Ukraine - ITAR-TASS

VIDEO (English Subtitles): Interview with separatist military commander Strelkov, talks about alleged chemical attack of Ukrainian military - YouTube

Bill on constitutional changes in Ukraine not foreseeing de-centralization promised by Poroshenko: Party of Regions - Russia Beyond The Headlines

Donetsk Peoples Republic intends to leave Ukraine's jurisdiction and integrate with Customs Union - The Voice of Russia

Donetsk Peoples’ Republic may nationalize Akhmetov’s enterprises - A Socialist in Canada

Richest Ukrainian Akhmetov Walks $13 Billion Tightrope - Businessweek

Kharkiv, in eastern Ukraine, looks west as war next door imperils its Russian market - The Washington Post

Turchynov Deems Possible Dissolution Of Communist Party Faction After Parliament Procedural Regulations Changed - Ukranian News

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Putin Accuses Ukraine Leader Poroshenko of Shunning Road to Peace - VOA

Putin to West: Stop turning world into 'global barracks,' dictating rules to others - RT News

Top 10 takeaways from Putin's foreign policy speech - RT News

Russia could not afford to let NATO troops arrive in Sevastopol to radically change the balance of force in the Black Sea: Putin - Itar-Tass

VIDEO (English): Full Putin's foreign policy speech - YouTube

POLL: Poll Shows Russian Support for Arming Separatist Militants in Ukraine - atlanticcouncil.org

NATO chief Breedlove to move forces from U.S. to Europe to respond to Russia in Ukraine - McClatchy DC

Excerpts of NATO chief Breedlove speech: Russian actions bring Europe to decisive point - U.S. Air Force

VIDEO: NATO General Breedlove Blames Russia for Rising Tensions - VOA

NATO defensive measures excessive: Russia’s ambassador - ITAR-TASS

State Department reiterates the US' support to Ukraine through Poroshenko's end to the country's cease-fire with the pro-Russian separatists - KUNA

VIDEO: State Department press briefing on Ukraine - YouTube

U.S. choice of new ambassador to Russia may cause chill in relations - Russia Beyond The Headlines

To contact Bartolo email peaceloversingle_at_gmail.com (replacing _at_ with @)

Cross-Posted from DeSmogBlog

At a June 19 speaking event at London's Chatham House, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) secretary-general Anders Fogh Rasmussen claimed the Russian government is covertly working to discredit hydraulic fracturing ("fracking") in the west from afar.

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Putin asks parliament to cancel Russian authorization to use force, wants to extend cease-fire in Ukraine - AP

Ukraine's Poroshenko welcomes Putin's step towards military de-escalation - Yahoo News

US welcomes Putin call to revoke authorization to use force in Ukraine - AFP

EU hopes for implementation of Putin’s offer to revoke right to use army in Ukraine - ITAR-TASS

VIDEO: Ukraine crisis: Putin & Fischer press conference in Austria (recorded live feed) - YouTube

OSCE chair says some solutions to Ukrainian crisis must be found in next few days - ITAR-TASS

Contacts on resolving conflict in Ukraine should continue until certain results reached: Russian Deputy FM - The Voice of Russia

Ukraine rebels down helicopter, killing nine despite truce - GlobalPost

Ukraine president says may revoke ceasefire after helicopter downing - Khaleej Times

Donetsk separatist leader: Kiev sabotages ceasefire agreements - ITAR-TASS

Miners call on all sides to the military conflict in Donbas to lay down their weapons, cease fire, and stop killing people and destroying enterprises - Interfax

Coal mines in Ukraine could close amid conflict - worldcoal.com

VIDEO: Ceasefire holds in Ukraine's flashpoint city of Slavyansk - YouTube

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UN Estimates 423 Killed in Ukraine's East - ABC News

UN: Numbers of Displaced Ukrainians Rising - VOA

Despite recent positive steps, Ukraine situation remains deeply worrying, Security Council told - United Nations News Centre

VIDEO: Ukraine situation remains deeply worrying, Security Council told - unmultimedia.org

VIDEO: Remarks by Ambassador Samantha Power at UN Security Council Meeting on Ukraine Situation - dvidshub.net

TRANSCRIPT: Remarks by Ambassador Samantha Power at a Security Council Meeting on the Situation in Ukraine - usun.state.gov

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Austria defies US, EU over South Stream during Putin visit (VIDEO) - DW.DE

VIDEO: Austria and Russia sign South Stream gas pipeline treaty - RT Business

Putin: US unhappy with South Stream because it wants to deliver gas to Europe - RT Business

U.S. Chamber of Commerce and National Association of Manufacturers to Break With Obama Over Russia Sanctions - moneynews.com

Russia to set own barriers in response to Ukraine's EU trade pact - Reuters

Russia to Substitute 95% of Ukrainian Defense Imports - RIA Novosti

Putin's Renunciation of Force in Ukraine Sends Ruble and Stocks Skyrocketing - The Moscow Times

Ukraine Supreme Court Clears Tymoshenko Of All Charges In Gas Case - Eurasia Review

Shale gas won't be extracted in Donetsk, says separatist leader - Ukrainian Journal

To contact Bartolo email peaceloversingle_at_gmail.com (replacing _at_ with @)

Ukraine separatists vow to honor the govt cease-fire as peace talks get under way in the east - Fox News

Separatists set conditions for negotiations with Kiev - RT News

Three-party talks on resolving Ukraine's crisis begin in Donetsk - The Voice of Russia

Poroshenko invites Russia to send inspectors to Ukraine to monitor ceasefire - ITAR-TASS

Obama and Putin talk on the phone on Ukraine - chicagotribune.com

Oligarch Medvedchuk may have convinced Putin that Poroshenko's peace plan is a step towards reaching a final settlement - CSMonitor

"Ukrainian choice" Medvedchuk could start a political settlement - Russian news and facts

VIDEO (Russian): Peace Talks Underway in Donbass As Viktor Medvedchuk Arrives With Federalisation Proposal - LiveLeak.com

Ukraine looks to Polish federalism as a model for political reform - GlobalPost

Current requirements and recommendations on constitutional reform in Ukraine of the Parliamentary Assembly and Venice Commission - pravo.org.ua

EU prepares civilian mission to assist security sector reform in Ukraine - European Union, EEAS

U.S Department of State: Background Briefing on Ukraine - Scoop News

VIDEO: Ukraine crisis: 'We recruit volunteer fighters from Russia’ - BBC News

Ukraine railroad blown up, Russian train derailed (PHOTOS, VIDEO) - RT News

VIDEO: Police Clash With Maidan Supporters In Kharkiv

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Europe to Sign Free Trade Agreement with Ukraine on June 27 - naturalgaseurope.com

Guide to the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement - eeas.europa.eu

Ukraine to dominate EU foreign ministers’ summit - France 24

Kiev Willing to Consult Moscow on Implementation of EU-Ukraine Association Agreement - RIA Novosti

New Ukraine FM Seen Bringing Sober Style to Kyiv Diplomacy, Regarded as  a consummate diplomat capable of deftly navigating the integration with Europe  - VOA

Russia to protect its market if Ukraine signs free trade agreement with EU: Russian deputy PM - The Voice of Russia

Russia may impose temporary ban on farming products' imports from Ukraine, They may contain the dangerous pest corn rootworm - The Voice of Russia

Gazprom's Gas Flow to Europe via Ukraine Remains Stable as Debt Feud Continues - ibtimes.co.uk

Naftogaz May Review Transit Contract with Russia in Court - RIA Novosti

Ukraine hopes for out-of-court deal with Gazprom: Naftogaz CEO - ITAR-TASS

To contact Bartolo email peaceloversingle_at_gmail.com (replacing _at_ with @)

Putin backs Poroshenko's peace plan, calls on both sides in Ukraine conflict to lay down arms and compromise - The Guardian

VIDEO: Putin calls for “genuine dialogue” between Kyiv and eastern rebels - euronews

Putin Orders Forces in the Urals on Combat Alert - ABC News

VIDEO: Combat Ready Alert: Putin orders surprise drills in Central Military District - YouTube

Ukraine president Poroshenko offers talks with pro-Russian separatists - Yahoo News

Poroshenko warns of ‘detailed Plan B’ if Ukraine ceasefire fails - RT News

New Ukrainian constitution may be passed in September: Poroshenko - The Voice of Russia

TRANSCRIPT: Televised Address of President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko - Official web-site of President of Ukraine

Fighting strains Ukraine ceasefire - Reuters

VIDEO: Ukrainian peace broken amidst cross-border shelling - euronews

Ukraine Blames Separatist Militias for 'Violating Truce', Says Gunmen Carried Out 11 Armed Attacks on Army Positions During the Last 24 hours - mashable.com

Rebels Shell Border Guard Convoy In Luhansk Region - Ukranian News

Ukraine’s National Guard shelling Lugansk village Ananyevka despite ceasefire: LPR militia - ITAR-TASS

Ukraine's military resumes bombardment of the town of Shchastye near Lugansk: media - ITAR-TASS

VIDEO: Russian TV shows footage exposing Ukraine’s artillery strikes in the Lugansk region - ITAR-TASS

Latest statements from separatist military commander Igor Strelkov (June 22) - The Vineyard of the Saker

Why Ukraine's Separatist Movement Failed in Kharkiv: Mayor Kernes Returns To Different City After Being Shot - New Republic

Russia indicts Ukraine’s Kolomoisky, Avakov for using prohibited means of warfare - ITAR-TASS

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Kiev nationalists clash with police outside Orthodox monastery, as churchgoers were holding a peace service to end war (VIDEOS) - RT

VIDEO: Nationalists clash with anti-war march in Kiev - YouTube

VIDEO: Kiev peace demonstration demands end to warfare - YouTube

VIDEO: Kiev nationalists vandalize SberBank of Russia - YouTube

VIDEO: More footage of protesters attacking Russian bank in Kiev - LiveLeak.com

To contact Bartolo email peaceloversingle_at_gmail.com (replacing _at_ with @)

Ukraine leader declares week-long ceasefire in east - THE DAILY STAR

Ukrainian president rules out talks with separatists of self-proclaimed republics - ITAR-TASS

Ukraine peace plan to call for 10-km buffer zone on Russia border - GlobalPost

Rebels in eastern Ukraine reject peace plan and ceasefire offer by Poroshenko - The Irish Times

Militia of Donetsk People's Republic distrusts Poroshenko's security guarantees - The Voice of Russia

Militants of Lugansk won't lay down arms while Ukraine won't take away army from LNR - ITAR-TASS

Poroshenko, local authorities of Ukraine’s eastern regions fail to find negotiating position - ITAR-TASS

New battles as Ukraine says 300 separatists and 7 Ukrainian troops killed in fighting, rebels drive tanks - Yahoo News

VIDEO: Fighting continues in eastern Ukraine despite cease-fire - AFP

Kiev’s army shelling kills 5yo boy & his mom in Slavyansk (VIDEO) - RT News

VIDEO: Huge build up of troops near Lugansk - LiveLeak.com

Donetsk Republic forms division of miners - ITAR-TASS

Good morning, Donetsk -- Ukraine rebels spread the word on radio - Yahoo!7

US hits 7 Ukraine rebels with sanctions - Mail Online

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Russia: Poroshenko’s ceasefire looks more like ultimatum, “Key element is yet lacking - a proposal to start talks with the separatists" - ITAR-TASS

Russia re-deploying near Ukraine border, stockpiling additional tanks and artillery - skynews.com

President Putin calls emergency meeting with security council to discuss southeast Ukraine events - The Voice of Russia

Ukrainian Rebel Commander Identified As Russian GRU Military Intelligence Colonel - Washington Free Beacon

Kiev seizes 'Russian armoured vehicle', says fighters and military equipment have been coming into the country from the Russian border - ibtimes

Ukrainian military refute reports on full control over eastern border with Russia - ITAR-TASS

Russian checkpoint on Ukraine border comes under fire, Moscow expects explanations from Kiev (VIDEO) - RT News

Putin plotting to halt UK fracking, warns Nato chief - AP

‘What are they smoking?’ Greenpeace ridicules NATO claims of Russian fracking plot (VIDEO) - RT News

To contact Bartolo email peaceloversingle_at_gmail.com (replacing _at_ with @)

Ukraine's president offers unilateral ceasefire after talks with Putin, Merkel - Fox News

VIDEO: Ukrainian President calls for peace plan after Putin phone call - euronews

Ukraine to cease fire in eastern regions in next few days: acting defense minister - ITAR-TASS

Military operation to secure Ukraine's eastern border nearly complete, says defense minister - UPI.com

Ukraine’s Poroshenko nominates new Foreign Minister, suggests relieving Deshchytsia from post after he shouted “Putin is a dickhead” - RIA Novosti

Russian diplomat welcomes Ukraine president’s choice for foreign minister - ITAR-TASS

Poroshenko offers condolences over death of Russian journalists in Ukraine - ITAR-TASS

Ukraine's Poroshenko proposes ally as central bank chief - Yahoo News UK

Ukraine’s Parliament Proposes to Dissolve, calls new elections - RIA Novosti

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Rebels Reject Ukrainian Leader’s Cease-Fire Idea, “If they want peace, then they can leave” - NYTimes.com

Donetsk, Luhansk leaders say contacts with presidential settlement envoy are impossible until Ukrainian troops stay - ITAR-TASS

'No to war!': Thousands of miners protest Kiev’s crackdown on E. Ukraine (VIDEO) - RT News

Lavrov: Moscow expects full-scale ceasefire from Ukrainian authorities and negotiations with southeast separatists - voiceofrussia.com

VIDEO (Russian): Lavrov Urges Ukraine to Negotiate With Pro-Russian Separatists - YouTube

Russian Army Ready for Any Developments in Ukraine, World: Defense Minister - RIA Novosti

U.N. Report Details Casualties in Eastern Ukraine - NYTimes.com

REPORT (Full): Report on the human rights situation in Ukraine - United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

Russia Foreign Ministry: UN report fails to objectively assess Kiev’s criminal actions - ITAR-TASS

Ukraine Defense Ministry says 147 servicemen killed in military operation - ITAR-TASS

2 Russian journalists killed in eastern Ukraine - AP

VIDEO: Moment Ukraine army shell hits Russian TV crew caught on tape - RT News

Kharkiv Mayor Gennady Kernes Returns After Assassination Attempt - The Moscow Times

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Interior minister: Blast at Ukraine gas pipeline due to bomb, security increased - Reuters

Ukrainian pipeline blast caused by poor investment: Gazprom - ITAR-TASS

Ukrainian government is ready to introduce state of emergency in the energy sector - ITAR-TASS

Kiev wants joint EU-Ukraine gas strategy - skynews.com

Moscow to Hold New Gas Talks Only After Kiev Clears its Debt: Russian Energy Minister - RIA Novosti

Hungary to increase reverse-flow gas supply to Ukraine - ITAR-TASS

To contact Bartolo email peaceloversingle_at_gmail.com (replacing _at_ with @)

Russia cuts Ukraine's gas after talks fail - GlobalPost

Ukraine’s stance in gas talks with Russia is ‘blackmail’, a method to negotiate an ultra-low price: Gazprom CEO - RT Business

Gazprom files $4.5 billion lawsuit against Ukraine's Naftogaz - ITAR-TASS

Gazprom Says Further Lawsuits Against Naftogaz to Follow Shortly - RIA Novosti

European Consumers to Receive Russian Gas in Full Volume: Gazprom - RIA Novosti

If Ukraine tries to steal Europe-bound gas, Gazprom will develop alternative routes: Miller (VIDEO) - RT Business

Europe Ready to Consider Opal Pipeline For Future Gas Supplies: Gazprom - RIA Novosti

Gazprom ready to finance supply of gas to European storage facilities - ITAR-TASS

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Ukraine declares emergency in energy sector, to set "economically justified" tariffs for transit of Russian gas through its territory - IANS

PM Yatseniuk says Russia intends to temporarily set the price of gas for Ukraine at $385/1,000 m3 and in winter raise it to $500 - Ukrinform

Ukraine's Naftogaz Sues in Stockholm Over Russia Gas - Capital.gr

The European Union has offered reverse-flow gas supplies to Ukraine at a price lower than that of Russia’s Gazprom: Naftogaz - ITAR-TASS

Naftogaz asking EC for major gas reverse flow from Slovakia - Russia Beyond The Headlines

Ukraine Able to Maintain Domestic Gas Supplies for Several Months - Capital.gr

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Poroshenko calls for Ukraine ceasefire to buy time for peace deal - The Globe and Mail

VIDEO (Ukrainian): Poroshenko announces potential ceasefire plans - YouTube

Ukrainian army ready to cease fire in east in 5-7 days: Security Council chief - ITAR-TASS

Donetsk, Lugansk should hold early local elections: Poroshenko - The Voice of Russia

Ukraine to close border with Russia next week: defence minister - ITAR-TASS

Over 100 people killed in Lugansk in past 2 days: head of self-proclaimed Lugansk republic - Strategic Culture Foundation

Ukraine's army opens mortar fire on community near Lugansk - self-defense - The Voice of Russia

Militia report downing two drones of Ukrainian army - ITAR-TASS

Pro-Russian rebels take Ukraine state bank, 'We want the tax revenues to stay here instead of going to Kiev’ - skynews.com

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Ukraine mourns the 49 servicemen killed after plane shot down, 300 protestors assault the Russian embassy in Kiev - The Westside Story

VIDEO: Protesters attack Russian embassy in Kiev - LiveLeak.com

Ukraine FM Deshchytsia calls Putin dickhead, sparks calls from Russia for his resignation - Business Insider

VIDEO: Ukraine FM Deshchytsia calls Putin dickhead - YouTube

Psaki defends Ukraine FM over 'Putin f**ker' remark, confuses Iraq and Iran (VIDEO) - RT USA

FM Lavrov accuses Ukrainian acting interior minister of connivance with extremists on the rampage in front of the Russian Embassy in Kiev - The Voice of Russia

VIDEO: Lavrov slams Russian embassy attack in Kiev - YouTube

Ukraine Says Russia Has 38,000 Troops on Border Amid ‘Invasion’ - Bloomberg

Approximately 200 Russian Army Vehicles Reported Moving Toward Ukraine Border (VIDEOS) - The Speaker

NATO releases photographs of what it says were suspected Russian tanks delivered to separatists in eastern Ukraine - foreignpolicy.com

NATO Says Russia Considers it an Opponent, Prepares Ukraine Aid - atlanticcouncil.org

Russia prepares plan for complete substitution of military products from Ukraine: Rogozin - The Voice of Russia

To contact Bartolo email peaceloversingle_at_gmail.com (replacing _at_ with @)

Poroshenko Points To Need Of Ceasefire In East Ukraine - Ukranian News

VIDEO: Ukraine’s president calls for a ceasefire this week - euronews

Exclusive: Ukraine’s President Seeks ‘Understanding’ With Russia - TIME

Diplomatic messages: Ukraine President Once Agent for U.S. State Department - OpEdNews

‘He has pleased me’: Peace hopes rise in Ukraine as Putin praises new President - canada.com

Peace settlement in Ukraine’s east to bear fruit in days: Kremlin - ITAR-TASS

VIDEO: Putin on Ukraine ceasefire - Telegraph

Putin orders border service to reinforce Ukraine border: agencies - Everest Herald

Russia would react to NATO build-up near borders: minister - Reuters

Donetsk Republic leader on ceasefire: “If all the troops are pulled back, these words could be turned into reality” - ITAR-TASS

Lugansk People's Republic doesn't believe in Poroshenko's promises to cease fire - The Voice of Russia

Avakov to send all Interior Ministry patrol units to eastern Ukraine - Ukrinform

Self-Proclaimed Donetsk Republic Compiles Lists of Prisoners: Donetsk Official - RIA Novosti

Ukraine releases two Russian journalists arrested for ‘spying’ (VIDEO) - RT News

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Slovyansk burns as new Ukrainian President Poroshenko yearns for peace - CNN.com

VIDEOS: E.  Ukraine warzone: Demolished houses, fires after heavy shelling - RT News

VIDEO: Sloviansk: Life has become a nightmare. Locals' story about their life in the city. - YouTube

‘Not safe for our children!’ Mothers with kids flee Kiev crackdown in Lugansk (VIDEOS) - RT News

Human Rights Watch warns Ukraine to decrease use of force - UPI

Ukraine, separatists battle to control border with Russia - Reuters

Russians Yearning to Join Ukraine Battle Find Few Barriers - NYTimes.com

Pro-Russian rebels attack Lugansk airport - AFP

Luhansk airport suspends flights: Luhansk People’s Republic - ITAR-TASS

In Donetsk, pro-Russian patrols keep order at night - Yahoo News

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Ukraine President Takes on Other Crisis: a Broken Economy - WSJ

Ukraine's separatist regions face bleak economic future - Yahoo Finance UK

Poroshenko is ready to sign immediately economic part of association with EU - ITAR-TASS

EU not ready to adopt Ukraine as its member yet: French FM - The Voice of Russia

FACT SHEET: U.S. Assistance to Ukraine - The White House

Son of VP Biden working for Ukraine energy firm as US tries to influence Kiev's policies - Star Tribune

Hillary Clinton advised Barack Obama to take tough line with 'thin-skinned' Vladimir Putin - Telegraph

Ukraine to pay debt to Russia after gas price agreed: Energy Minister - RT Business

Bulgaria Halts Work on Gazprom's South Stream Pipeline - The Moscow Times

EU-Moscow row over South Stream gas pipeline - BBC News

To contact Bartolo email peaceloversingle@gmail.com

Obama announces $1 billion program to boost military presence in Eastern Europe - The Washington Post

VIDEO: Barack Obama earmarks1 billion dollars to boost US military presence in Europe - Telegraph

U.S. presses NATO allies to raise defence spending after Ukraine - Reuters

More US base consolidations on the way in Europe - Stripes

U.S. reaffirms: No weapons will go to Ukraine - usatoday

US To Send Advisers To Assess Ukraine's Defense Reform Needs - rttnews.com

NATO to bolster defence in eastern Europe - Al Jazeera English

NATO To Finalize a package to reform and modernize Ukraine's armed forces - rferl.org

Ukraine receives only non-lethal weapons from NATO countries: defense minister - ITAR-TASS

Another NATO Vessel to Enter Black Sea Next Week – Military Source - RIA Novosti

Russia to reorganise troops to counter NATO activities - zeenews

Moscow slams Ukraine military attacks coinciding with top US defense official visit to Kiev - RT News

POLL: Putin Forever? Russian President's Ratings Skyrocket Over Ukraine - rferl.org

POLL: International Relations scholars oppose military assistance in Ukraine, military aid to Egypt - William & Mary

EU asks Bulgaria to stop work on Gazprom's South Stream pipeline - Reuters

South Stream Dragged into Russia-Ukraine Gas Spat as Rhetoric Spikes - The Moscow Times

Gazprom ready to complete South Stream without international finance - RT Business

Naftogaz, Gazprom discussing gas price at $350-380 for April 2014 through June 2015 - nrcu.gov.ua

POLL: Less than half of Ukrainians support economic aid from the West - Pew Research Center

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Ukrainian forces in fierce clash with pro-Russian separatists in rebel-held city Slavyansk- The Washington Post

Ukrainian soldier killed in offensive against pro-Russian rebels in Slavyansk - theguardian.com

Turchinov orders to look at imposing martial law in Donetsk, Lugansk regions - ITAR-TASS

Slavyansk separatists claim to have shot down Ukraine army plane, one helicopter and several tanks - The Voice of Russia

181 people killed, 293 injured in Kiev military op in eastern Ukraine: Prosecutor General - RT News

OSCE relocates observers from Donetsk and Luhansk regions for security reasons - ITAR-TASS

VIDEO: Dispatch from Donetsk: Ukrainian nationals, pro-Moscow rebels battle in flashpoint city Slavyansk - Fox News

VIDEO: Ukrainian army shells Slavyansk residential area, 3 civilians killed - YouTube

VIDEO: Death and despair in Slavyansk after Ukraine army shelling - YouTube

VIDEO: Slavyansk women & children shelter in basements from Kiev military op - YouTube

VIDEO: Kids evacuated from Slavyansk, E.Ukraine to escape Kiev's shelling - YouTube

Ukraine army shells hit an hospital in Slavyansk (VIDEO) - RT

VIDEO: Moment when a MANPAD hit a ukrainian helicopter in Slavyansk - LiveLeak.com

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OSCE Confirms: Luhansk Deaths Caused by Airstrikes - Antiwar.com

VIDEO: OSCE confirms fatal attack on Lugansk admin building was air raid - YouTube

Ukraine opposition calls for international probe in fatal Luhansk air strikes - turkishweekly.net

Confirmed: Ukrainian air force fired over 150 missiles at Lugansk, bombed admin HQ (VIDEO) - RT News

Kiev’s Lugansk botched air strike fuels the rebellion in east Ukraine - The Times

A Guide To The Separatist Leaders Of Eastern Ukraine - rferl.org

Interview with Alexander Borodai, the self-declared prime minister of eastern Ukraine’s secessionist Donetsk People’s Republic - ft.com

Ukrainian Protesters Won't Leave Kiev's Maidan Despite New Government, It Is Still Occupied and It's Become a Darker, More Dangerous Place Lately - New Republic

9 People Arrested in Connection With Shooting Of Kharkiv's Jewish Mayor Kernes - JP Updates

To contact Bartolo email peaceloversingle@gmail.com

Separatists Storm Border Post in Eastern Ukraine - NYTimes.com

Negotiations between militia and Ukraine border post command come to deadlock - ITAR-TASS

Russia-Ukraine border checkpoints become a new frontline in the battle to wrest control of the country's east - GlobalPost

Guns and fighters seep through Ukraine's porous Russian border - theguardian.com

At Ukraine’s Perilous Border, Law Is Dispensed by Men in Masks - NYTimes.com

VIDEO: Five dead in assault on border command centre in Luhansk in eastern Ukraine - euronews

VIDEO: Ukraine border guards camp attacked in Luhansk - BBC

VIDEO: Lugansk: Separatists Storms Ukraine Border Post - YouTube

VIDEO: Raw video of pro-autonomy militia in Lugansk border base battle - YouTube

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Atleast five killed in admin HQ blast as fighter jets deployed to Lugansk, Ukraine (VIDEOS) - RT News

VIDEO: Ukrainian Su-25 bombing civilians by unguided rockets in Lugansk - LiveLeak.com

VIDEO: CCTV Captures SU-25 Rocket Attack in Central Lugansk - LiveLeak.com

VIDEO: Luhansk - Casualties after the airstrike (6 videos) - LiveLeak.com

Pro-Russia Troops Take Symbol of Ukraine Uprising, Vostok Battalion evicts the ragtag band of locals who had occupied the Donetsk regional administration building - NYTimes.com

More foreign fighters break cover among Ukraine separatists, Battalion Vostok - or the East Battalion - is a heavily armed, well-organized fighting group - Reuters

Vostok Battalion, A Powerful New Player In Eastern Ukraine - rferl.org

VIDEO: The Vostok Battalion taking control of anti-Ukraine Donbas insurgency - YouTube

VIDEO: The Vostok Battalion, a Kremlin-backed faction in the self-declared Donetsk People's Republic, has ousted local Ukrainian separatists from the regional administration building - YouTube

VIDEO: Vostok Battalion detain looters in Donetsk - YouTube

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Russia Calls UN Meeting to Seek Ukraine Cease-Fire - ABC News

West criticizes Russian draft resolution on Ukraine - Yahoo News

U.S. Reiterates $18 Million Aid to Ukraine After 400-Man Border Attack - Hit & Run - Reason.com

Russia, NATO trade accusations over Ukraine crisis - Reuters

NATO Ministers To Review Response to Ukraine Crisis - defensenews.com

Secretary General sets out NATO’s position on Russia-Ukraine crisis - NATO

Russia to take necessary measures if NATO military potential comes closer to its borders - envoy - The Voice of Russia

UOSCE Ukraine monitors lose contact with second team - CBC News

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Russia's Gazprom Gets Paid By Ukraine - Forbes

Russia satisfied with first gas payment from Ukraine — energy minister - ITAR-TASS

Russia’s Gazprom ready to reduce gas price for Ukraine not only through lower export duty - ITAR-TASS

Russia Gives Ukraine More Time to Pay for Natural Gas - NYTimes.com

Ukraine indefinitely delays signing Association Agreement with EU - MINA

Ukraine’s GDP to drop by 5% in 2014 – Fitch - RT Business

To contact Bartolo email peaceloversingle@gmail.com

By Dave Lindorff

            Our prissy Secretary of State John Kerry, hair carefully coiffed for his interview, told NBC’s Brian Williams last week that fugitive National Security Agency whistleblower Edward Snowden should “man up” and return to the US to “stand in our system of justice and make his case.”

VIDEO: The battle for Donetsk airport: Ukrainian separatists suffer heavy losses - euronews

VIDEO: Donetsk morgue overflowing after Ukrainian military offensive - RT

VIDEO: A truck carrying corpses to the Donetsk morgue - YouTube

VIDEO: Separatists in Donetsk refuse to concede - euronews

VIDEO: Pro-Russian rebels in Donetsk fear government troops will launch attack on city, prepare for assault - euronews

Miners rally in favour of separatists in eastern Ukraine - Reuters

VIDEO: Donetsk miners call on Ukranian ‘occupiers’ to leave region - euronews

Luhansk Rebels Send Reinforcements to Donetsk - The Moscow Times

Ukraine forces suffer new losses in a rebel raid on their barracks in the flashpoint Lugansk region - Sky News

80 Ukrainian soldiers surrender to self-defense forces in Lugansk - RT News

Lugansk Republic institutes commission for compensating damage to victims of operation - ITAR-TASS

Ukraine's Lugansk plans to hold parliamentary elections in Sept. - GlobalPost

In east Ukraine, arms maker walks fine line between Kiev and Moscow - The Globe and Mail

Ukraine crisis: who commited murder at the Maidan? Parliamentary Commission in Kiev rejects claims that Yanukovych police unit was to blame for killings that led to change of power - Telegraph

After the Ukrainian Elections, a Look at Far-Right Political Movements - The Blue Review

Right Sector militants ask Kiev to arm them with heavy weapons - The Voice of Russia

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Obama signals reset in US foreign policy, urges against 'military adventures' - Fox News

VIDEO: President Obama Speaks to West Point Graduates - The White House

TRANSCRIPT: President Obama’s Commencement Address at West Point - NYTimes.com

Russia to help Kiev establish dialogue with southeast if it ends military op: UN envoy - RT News

Ukraine PM calls on Russia to block guerrillas crossing the Russian border into Ukraine" - Reuters

Chechen fighters among ranks of rebel militants in Ukraine, self-appointed mayor says - Fox News

VIDEO: Battalion Vostok convoy moves in Donetsk, said to include fighters from the northern Caucasus - YouTube

VIDEO: Russian Mercenaries in Donetsk: Chechen leader Kadyrov denies sending troops to Ukraine - YouTube

Kiev adopts draft agreement on Polish-Lithuanian-Ukrainian brigade of armed forces - ITAR-TASS

Ischinger mulls OSCE Ukraine pullout, Poroshenko sees 'state of war' - DW.DE

Russia's Gazprom says Ukraine will owe $5.2 billion as of June 7 - chicagotribune.com

Russia may grant gas price discount to Ukraine, but contract revision not on agenda - ITAR-TASS

EU to help Ukraine find $10 bln to pay Russia for gas: newspaper - The Voice of Russia

To contact Bartolo email peaceloversingle@gmail.com

By Dave Lindorff

I was shocked to find myself in almost perfect agreement today with a recent column by the neoconservative pundit Charles Krauthammer. 

Usually Krauthammer has me groaning, but yesterday his column nailed it.

VIDEO: Newly Elected Ukraine President Poroshenko Claims Victory, Wants to Visit East - AP

VIDEO: Top priority is peace, says Ukraine’s Poroshenko - cnbc.com

Kremlin Says Russia Respects Poroshenko's Election - The Moscow Times

Poroshenko, Lavrov call for Russia-Ukraine talks to end crisis - Los Angeles Times

Poroshenko Plans to Visit Russia in June to Discuss Ukrainian Crisis - RIA Novosti

Yatsenyuk to Retain His Post as Prime Minister: Ukraine’s Poroshenko - RIA Novosti

Ukraine's Poroshenko to sell all his business in order to become President - The Voice of Russia

Self-proclaimed Donetsk Republic to cooperate with Poroshenko only with Russia’s mediation - ITAR-TASS

In East, Separatists and Fear Stop Voters - NYTimes.com

VIDEO: Russian separatists disrupt presidential vote in Ukraine’s eastern regions - euronews

20% of polling stations open in Donetsk, Luhansk regions: observers - ITAR-TASS

Report: Kharkiv Jewish Mayor Kernes Casts Vote For Ukrainian President From Hospital Bed - JP Updates

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Ukraine launches air strike against rebels who seized Donetsk airport - Telegraph

VIDEO: Battle to control Donetsk airport - BBC

VIDEO: Jet attack on Donetsk Airport area - YouTube

Leader of the DNR: self-defence units bring down 2 helicopters of Ukraine’s Armed Forces - ITAR-TASS

Ukrainian army grenade hits truck carrying wounded in Donetsk: reports - RT News

Ukrainian army shells Slavyansk residential area, 3 civilians killed (GRAPHIC VIDEO) - RT News

Italian Andrea Rocchelli becomes first journalist killed in eastern Ukraine conflict - GlobalPost

'Torn to pieces': Ghastly details emerge of Italian reporter and his Russian interpreter’s killing in E. Ukraine - RT News

Donetsk People’s Republic switching over to Russian laws - ITAR-TASS

Lugansk republic leader bans sale of corporate rights - The Voice of Russia

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Tentative deal in Ukraine-Russia gas dispute, EU says - Fox News

Kiev negotiators agree to pay $2 billion to Gazprom to cover part of gas debt - RT Business

Kiev Calls on Naftogaz to Hire Top Lawyers for Gas Row With Gazprom - RIA Novosti

Avoiding Ukraine Pipelines Would Hurt Gazprom: Chart of the Day - Bloomberg

Gazprom Faces $800 Million in Taxes as Ukraine Rejects Gas Price - Bloomberg

To contact Bartolo email peaceloversingle@gmail.com

At least a dozen people reportedly killed in Eastern Ukraine as fighting flared between separatists and nationalist paramilitary groups - VICE

Leader of the nationalist Donbass Battalion reports the ongoing conflict near Karlivka - Ukraine Investigation

Donbass Battalion: Ukrainian Civilian Militias Face Pro-Russian Foes (VIDEO)- NYTimes.com

Kiev lets loose Men in Black nationalist paramilitary forces - The Sunday Times

Ukraine's Azov Battalion 'Ready To Take On Separatists' (VIDEO) - Sky News

Kiev pins hopes on Dnipropetrovsk oligarch in battle against separatists, nationalist fighters co-funded and organized by Kolomoisky - Reuters

Dnipropetrovsk defies East Ukraine stereotypes; It has become a hub of anti-separatist groups - rferl.org

Ultra-nationalists united: Football fans rally for Ukraine's sake - BBC News

In Ukraine, women militants are taking up weapons on both sides of the barricades - foreignpolicy.com

Ukraine crisis: Polling booths deserted in east of the country - The Independent

Polling stations sit next to rebel barricades in Ukraine's Mariupol - Yahoo News

Donetsk, Lugansk republics unite in “Novorossiya” state - ITAR-TASS

VIDEO: Ukrainian Volunteer Donbass Battalion Lost Many In A Fight By Karlivka, Eastern Ukraine - YouTube

VIDEO: Pro-Russia Separatist Vostok Battalion After Gunfight In Karlivka - YouTube

VIDEO: Ukraine: Bodies lie among charred buildings in Karlivka - LiveLeak.com

VIDEO (Ukrainian): Full interview of Right Sector leader - YouTube

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Russia says to complete troop pullback from Ukraine border 'within days' - Reuters

Putin Indicates He’ll Respect Result of Ukrainian Election - NYTimes.com

VIDEO: Russia will respect Ukraine vote results: Putin - AP

Putin: I don’t think new Cold War will start, no one wants it - RT News

Putin: I’m concerned Ukraine radicals can disrupt gas transit - RT Business

Ruble Rises After Putin's Statement About Respect for Ukrainian People's Choice - RIA Novosti

Ukraine Crisis Drives a Quiet Lobbying Boom in U.S. - Bloomberg

Ukraine is a Prize Neither Russia Nor the West Can Afford to Win - Brookings Institution

REPORT (Full): Beyond the Sanctions: Russia, the West, and Ukraine - Brookings Institution

Ukraine media freedom under attack: OSCE - Yahoo News

REPORT (Full) : Media Freedom under siege in Ukraine - OSCE

To contact Bartolo email peaceloversingle@gmail.com

Donetsk sees deadliest assault on Ukrainian troops, It is unclear who attacked the checkpoint - BBC News

VIDEO: Live footage of the attack on Ukraine Army checkpoint in Donetsk - YouTube

VIDEO: Aftermath of Donetsk attack: dead bodies on the ground - YouTube

Martial law introduced in self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic - ITAR-TASS

VIDEO: Head of Luhansk Republic Bolotov: Declaration of martial law - YouTube

Lugansk People’s Republic ready for talks with Kiev if punitive operation stopped - ITAR-TASS

Ukraine crisis: Both sides shy away from call to arms - smh.com.au

Donetsk people’s republic authorities ask Russia to recognise republican independence - ITAR-TASS

People's Republic of Donetsk Defended By Grannies - New Republic

Solidarity Eludes Ukraine Separatist Groups as Presidential Election Nears - NYTimes.com

Ukraine partisans battling separatists raise concerns - FT.com

Militia 'Arms Race' Threatens Deadly Escalation in Ukraine Conflict - mashable.com

VIDEO: Meeting the Donbass Battalion, pro-Ukraine militia - Vice

Ukraine's front-runner presidential candidate Poroshenko: realist ready for compromise - Fox News

Profile of Petro Poroshenko in the Run Up to the Ukraine Elections - SPIEGEL ONLINE

New Ukrainian president should dissolve parliament: presidential candidate Poroshenko - ITAR-TASS

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Russia moves some troops away from Ukraine; NATO says big force remains - Reuters

Putin says troops withdraw to help Ukraine vote - Boston Herald

US Congress recognizes that neo-Nazis were present on Maidan - The Voice of Russia

VIDEO: Congressional Hearings: Nuland Grilled on Neo-Nazis in Ukraine & Money U.S. is Spending - YouTube

Moscow Concerned About Lack of OSCE Response on Odessa Tragedy Inquiry - RIA Novosti

Moscow Says Kiev Breaking Law by Refusing Visits to Detained Russian Journalists - RIA Novosti

Human Rights Watch calls for immediate release of Russian LifeNews journalists - The Voice of Russia

Russia, China Ink Historic Gas Supply Deal, The price could be estimated at around $350 per 1,000 cubic meters - RIA Novosti

Russian Response: China Gas Deal Offers Leverage vs. West, Ukraine - TheStreet

Gazprom to receive $25 billion prepayment for gas supplies to China - ITAR-TASS

Russia-China gas deal may influence U.S. strategy on Ukraine - PBS

Energy Prices are Big Part of Ukraine Crisis - VOA

To contact Bartolo email peaceloversingle@gmail.com

Ukrainian oligarch backs Kiev rule, urging factory workers to daily strikes - The Guardian

Ukrainian tycoon’s calls for rallies against separatists go largely unheeded - The Washington Post

Donetsk workers fail to answer call to rally against separatists - FT.com

VIDEO: Ukraine’s Richest Man Calls Strike Against Separatists- Boston.com

VIDEO (Ukrainian): Full statement of Ukrainian tycoon calling for rallies against separatists - YouTube

VIDEO: Donetsk Anti-Separatist Protest: Donbas drivers honk their horns in support of Ukrainian unity - YouTube 

Who Holds East Ukraine’s Port of Mariupol? No One Really, Reports of Routed Protesters Greatly Exaggerated - Antiwar.com

Donetsk People's Republic says wants to nationalize businesses - ITAR-TASS

VIDEO (Ukrainian): Interview with Donetsk People's Republic head Denis Pushilin on nationalization of assets of some tycoons - YouTube

Talks suspended with dissenting tycoon: leaders of self-porclaimed Donetsk People's Republic - ITAR-TASS

Federalists Take Over 11 Election Commissions in Ukraine’s Donetsk, Luhansk Regions - RIA Novosti

Election officials at sharp end in separatist Ukraine city - Reuters

Ukrainian parliament adopts Memorandum of Peace and Accord, confirming ”the constitutional status of Ukrainian as a state language” but pledging to ensure the rights of minority languages - APA

Ukrainian official confirms poisoning deaths in Odessa, victims may have died from chloroform vapors - ITAR-TASS

Russia calls on U.N., OSCE for impartial probe of Ukraine deaths in Odessa - Yahoo News

Ukrainian administration ignores OSCE appeals to release Russian LifeNews journalists - ITAR-TASS

Kiev authorities freeze pension payment in Slavyansk, Kramatorsk - The Voice of Russia

Ukraine’s newly-proclaimed republics seek unification - ITAR-TASS

Self-proclaimed Lugansk People's Republic elects a Russian as head, passes constitution - RT News

Breakaway Lugansk Republic appoints topless woman minister - standartnews.com

PHOTOS: Topless photoshoot of woman apponted Minister of the Republic of Luhansk (27 photos) - hybridtechcar.com

VIDEO: Slovyansk residents caught in the crossfire - The Washington Post

Is Separatist Colonel Strelkov the Kremlin’s ‘Wag the Dog’ Gone Out of Bounds? - The Interpreter

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Russia defense minister orders troops away from Ukraine border:report - Yahoo News

Ukraine says Russian troops move back from border, none of 40,000 Russian soldiers are stationed within 6 miles of the country - Yahoo!7

Pentagon: No sign of Russian troop pullback - The Sun Herald

Front-Runner in Ukraine Election May Be Shifting Putin’s Stance - NYTimes.com

Russia Could Be Sending Chechen Militants To Ukraine - Business Insider

Chechens: The Secret Players In The Russia-Ukraine Game - NPR

Ukraine Rejects Russian Demand to Prepay for Gas Imports - WSJ

Russia believes it is impossible to return to $268 gas price in negotiations with Ukraine - ITAR-TASS

Russia Poured $200Bln Into Ukrainian Economy Over 20 Years: Russian Minister - RIA Novosti

Hungary accelerates gas delivery to Ukraine - GlobalPost

Slovakia prepares pipeline for reverse supply to Ukraine - energyglobal.com

To contact Bartolo email peaceloversingle@gmail.com

Ukraine round table: Yatsenyuk in favor of financial autonomy to the East but against federalism, rules out negotiations with 'terrorists' - DW.DE

At Ukraine Peace Talks, Eastern Leaders Assail Central Government - VOA

Ukraine needs federalization; decentralization not enough: Luhansk Regional Council head - en.interfax.com

VIDEO: OSCE, Ukrainian officials meet in Kharkiv - CCTV News

VIDEO (Ukrainian): OSCE Talks in Kharkiv - YouTube

VIDEO: East Ukraine Separatists Branded 'Terrorists' - YouTube

As long as territories of Donetsk People's Republic occupied, no dialogue with Kiev possible: separatist - The Voice of Russia

One month on, Ukraine military fails to rout rebels - AFP

Ukraine's election body warns it may be impossible to hold next week's presidential election in the east with almost two million voters - AFP

"South-East Army" urges Kiev's security forces to leave territory of Lugansk People's Republic - The Voice of Russia

Donetsk volunteer guards take control of regional headquarters of National Guards - ITAR-TASS

Separatists recapture their leader on the eve of peace talks in Ukraine - Yahoo News

Lugansk People's Republic to adopt own constitution: spokesperson - The Voice of Russia

VIDEO: Donetsk unveils constitution, "new gov't" elected - CCTV News

Donetsk People’s Republic prepares draft for acceding Russia - ITAR-TASS

Mysterious Russian Mr Fixit heads Ukraine rebel state, Borodai has been appointed prime minister of the self-declared Donetsk People’s Republic in eastern Ukraine - straitstimes.com

Meet Ukrainian Separatists' Shock Troops: the Russian Orthodox Army,  The army’s undisputed commander is Igor Girkin aka “Strelkov” - NBC News.com

Elusive Muscovite with three names takes control of Ukraine rebels, in Donetsk region "Colonel Igor Strelkov" assumed command of all rebel forces there - Reuters

Who's Funding East Ukraine Separatists? - Institute for War and Peace Reporting

2 Ukraine oligarchs speak up for unity, against pro-Russia faction - Los Angeles Times

VIDEO: Steelworkers patrol in Mariupol at the behest of Metinvest magnate Rinat Akhmetov - YouTube

Ukraine civil war fears mount as volunteer units take up arms, offering support to regular units of the Ukrainian army in their fight against armed separatists in the region - theguardian.com

Gunmen attempt to enter Ukraine’s largest nuclear power plant, In video footage allegedly showing the attempted break-in the men say they are members of the Right Sector group (VIDEO) - RT News

’Ukrainian helicopter with UN symbols in Slovyansk turned out to be from peacekeeping operation two years ago in Congo’ - freerepublic.com

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UN warns of alarming deterioration in human rights in east Ukraine (VIDEO) - DW.DE

Press Release: UN report documents “alarming” deterioration in human rights in eastern Ukraine - UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

REPORT (Full): Report on the human rights situation in Ukraine, May 15 - UN High Commissioner for Human Rights 

UN Ukraine report shows double standards whitewashing Kiev's actions, ignoring violent nationalism and Odessa massacre: Russia - RT News

127 Killed in Kiev’s Special Op in Southeast Ukraine: UN Official - RIA Novosti

Readout of the President’s Call with President Hollande of France: Russia will face significant additional costs if it continues its provocative and destabilizing behavior - The White House

Government of Ukraine Issues U.S. $1 Billion Bond with U.S. Guarantee - The FINANCIAL

U.S. Waited Months to Send Ukraine Spare Tires - The Daily Beast

Senators push to cut off Pentagon contracts with Russia amid Ukraine crisis - Fox News

Russia Can’t Be Trusted Over Ukraine, NATO Chief Says - Bloomberg

Poroshenko opposes a referendum on Ukraine’s membership in NATO - The Voice of Russia

Moscow to consider Kiev's proposal on joint efforts on stabilizing situation at border: deputy FM - The Voice of Russia

POLL: Putin’s rating reaches maximum in past six years - ITAR-TASS

Full text: Putin’s second letter to EU about Ukraine's gas payment - PRAGUE POST

Russia Offers Negotiations on Ukraine Gas Price in Return For $2.2Bln Debt Payment - The Moscow Times

Gazprom: Russia-China Gas Deal Imminent - VOA

To contact Bartolo email peaceloversingle@gmail.com

How NATO Jabs Russia on Ukraine

Editor Note:  The U.S. mainstream media portrays the Ukraine crisis as a case of Russian “imperialism,” but the reality is that Moscow has been reacting to aggressive moves by Washington to expand NATO to Russia’s border in violation of a post-Cold War pledge.

By Ray McGovern

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov used Wednesday’s interview with Bloomberg News to address the overriding issue regarding the future of Ukraine, at least from Moscow’s perspective. Speaking in fluent English, he said Russia would be “categorically against” Ukraine joining NATO.

Ukraine Begins Peace Talks _ Without Separatists Who Weren't Invited - NPR

VIDEO: Ukraine Launches Talks But Its Foes Are Missing - YouTube

PM Yatsenyuk calls for constitutional amendments and decentralization of power in Ukraine - ITAR-TASS

Next roundtable on national unity due in Donetsk on May 17 - The Voice of Russia

US commends Ukraine for roundtables, understands the unwillingness to invite separatists 'who literally have blood on their hands' - KUNA

Ukraine on brink of civil war: Lavrov - THE DAILY STAR

VIDEO (Full Interview): Ukraine `as Close to Civil War' as Possible: Lavrov - Bloomberg

Dragging Ukraine into NATO negative for European security, It would be a critical threat to Russia’s national security: Lavrov - RT News

Russia Can Do Business With Elected Ukraine Leader, Lavrov Says - Bloomberg

Donetsk gunmen in Ukraine seize election office, declaring that the country’s May 25 parliamentary and presidential vote will not be held there - The Globe and Mail

Donetsk People’s Republic starts forming its own army - ITAR-TASS

Almost all policemen in Ukraine’s Donetsk come down to side of pro-federation activists - ITAR-TASS

Donetsk separatists capture army commander in Ukraine - London Evening Standard

Self-defense units in Slavyansk, Kramatorsk confirm to have killed 8 Ukrainian gov't troops, destroyed several armored vehicles - The Voice of Russia

UN-marked strike helicopter ‘used by Kiev against militia’ sparks scandal - RT News

Crimea Ready to Provide Humanitarian Aid to Ukraine’s Luhansk, Donetsk Regions - RIA Novosti

Billionaire Akhmetov's empire on frontline in Ukraine crisis - Yahoo News

Akhmetov Considers It Necessary To Amend Constitution, Decentralize Power In Eastern Ukraine But Is Against Independence - Ukranian News

Ukrainian oligarch Akhmetov calls for suspension of Kiev terror operations in East Ukraine, uses resources to set up citizens' brigades - Sott.net

VIDEO (Ukrainian): Akhmetov: Successful Donbas in unified Ukraine - ukrstream.tv

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Ukraine Crisis Hits Economies in Region, EBRD Says - WSJ.com

EBRD warns on deeper recession threat facing Ukraine and Russia could follow - GlobalPost

EBRD: Russian Recession Could Damage Global Economy - The Moscow Times

Press Release: Russia-Ukraine crisis threatens recovery in EBRD region - EBRD

REPORT (Full): The Ukraine/Russia crisis weighs on transition region's growth - EBRD

What Ukraine’s economy looks like without its Russian-speaking regions - Quartz

Russia says open to talks if Ukraine pays off some gas debt, revised gas price is possible - Reuters

Ukraine to use EU and IMF money to pay for Russian gas - EUobserver

Russian gas supplies at risk from Ukraine crisis: Germany’s utility - ITAR-TASS

NASA hopes to continue cooperation with Russia on ISS - The Voice of Russia

To contact Bartolo email peaceloversingle@gmail.com

Ukraine crisis: Pro-Russian separatists kill seven government soldiers in ambush - The Independent

VIDEO: Seven Ukrainian Troops Killed In Ambush By Separatists Outside Kramatorsk - YouTube

German foreign minister will try to broker dialogue between Ukraine government, rebels - Fox News

VIDEO: German FM Steinmeier stresses need for national dialogue during Kiev visit - YouTube

Russia's FM urges to immediately launch OSCE roadmap on crisis settlement in Ukraine - ITAR-TASS

Russia 'expects' Ukraine rebels to comply with OSCE roadmap - GlobalPost

PM Yatsenyuk: The government is promoting its own roadmap, It has some things in common with the OSCE but the settlement should be Ukrainian - ITAR-TASS

Ukraine’s foreign ministry: OSCE crisis settlement roadmap is "auxiliary instrument" - ITAR-TASS

Ukraine's Party of Regions demands negotiations with Donetsk region residents - ITAR-TASS

Despite recent escalation, full-blown conflict in Ukraine can be averted: Ban - United Nations News Centre

Luhansk 'People’s Governor' Injured in Assassination Attempt After Independence Referendum - RIA Novosti

Mayor of Kharkov: "assassination attempt was political" (VIDEO) - bhol.co.il

Confusion over rival claims to control Donetsk - GlobalPost

Donetsk and Lugansk Republics begin unification talks: Donetsk People's Republic co-chairman - The Voice of Russia

VIDEO: Donetsk celebrates newly-claimed independence from Kiev with fireworks - YouTube

Maidan Square activists urged to fight for Ukraine in the east - The Guardian

Bullets found after Kiev riots do not fit Berkut commando guns: The Ukrainian parliamentary committee - ITAR-TASS

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Russia bans US from using Space Station over Ukraine sanctions, bars its rocket engines from launching US military satellites - Telegraph

France facing pressure from US over warship deal with Russia - Fox News

U.S. releases satellite images of Russian forces near Ukraine - Yahoo News

VIDEO, PHOTOS: US satellite images ‘show’ Russian troops still on Ukraine border - euronews

Russia announces USD2.4 billion Black Sea Fleet investment - IHS Jane's 360

Russian Defense Ministe Shoigu Details Black Sea Fleet Expansion Plans In Light of the Annexation of Crimea - EurasiaNet.org

Russia's Black Sea Fleet to Receive 30 New Ships by 2020: Navy Commander - RIA Novosti

Russia to Station Aircraft, Ships Throughout Crimea – Navy Chief - RIA Novosti

Crimea Takeover Seen as Potential Game Changer in Mediterranean: Military Analysts - The Moscow Times

Sevastopol to mark Black Sea Fleet Day - ITAR-TASS: Russia

POLL: Over 41.6% of Ukrainians opposed to Ukraine joining NATO, 36.7 percent support it - The Voice of Russia

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Gazprom introduces pre-payment system for Ukraine, sends $1.66bn bill - RT Business

Russia's Gazprom Warns Ukraine it Does Not Have Enough Gas For Winter - ibtimes.co.uk

Ukraine Can Use EU Aid to Pay Off Russian Gas Debt: European Commission - RIA Novosti

EU, Ukraine Sign Aid Deals Worth $1.78 Billion - ABC News

Gazprom may use Europe’s UGSs to guarantee more gas supplies to Europe in winter - ITAR-TASS

Joe Biden's son Hunter to head legal unit at Ukraine's largest private gas company - Washington Times

To contact Bartolo email peaceloversingle@gmail.com

After referendum separatists In Eastern Ukraine Declare Independence - NPR

Ukraine eastern regions to boycott presidential vote - Al Jazeera English

VIDEO: Ukraine rebel leader: joining Russia might be ‘appropriate’ - euronews

Russia stops short of recognizing East Ukraine secession vote, promotes dialogue between easterners and the Kiev government - NYTimes.com

VIDEO: Lavrov: We respect Ukrainian referendum, de-escalating the crisis is possible only if the rival sides speak directly - YouTube

Ukraine's roadmap prepared by OSCE not unveiled due to positions held by some people in Washington and Kiev: FM Lavrov - voiceofrussia.com

Ukraine Should Focus on Decentralization, Minority Rights:  OSCE Chief - RIA Novosti

White House dismisses Ukraine referendums - TheHill

EU Council refuses to recognize referendum in Ukraine and expands sanctions vs. Russia - ITAR-TASS

VIDEO: How EU Sanctions Impact Russia's Economy: Video - Bloomberg

POLL: Ukraine favors Europe over Russia, new CNN poll finds - CNN.com

The Wolves Hundred: Putin’s Russian Musclemen in East Ukraine - TIME

400 US mercenaries from the notorious US private security firm Academi (formerly Blackwater) 'deployed on ground’ in Ukraine military op, German media reports - RT News

Interview: Three Weeks A Hostage In Slovyansk - rferl.org

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IMF: Ukraine Crisis Could Have 'Severe' Economic Consequences For Europe - Business Insider

Russia repeats Ukraine gas cut threat if no payment by June 2 - Reuters

Russia will lower gas price if Ukraine pays debt - TheHill

Medvedev: Russia has evidence Ukraine has money to pay gas debt - ITAR-TASS

Russia analyzing how to avoid Ukrainian gas storage facilities in shipping gas to Europe - interfax.com

Ukraine to Get Development Bank Cash to Boost Economy - Bloomberg

To contact Bartolo email peaceloversingle@gmail.com

By Dave Lindorff

The rot at the core of US international relations, domestic politics and the corporate media is evident in the American approach to the Ukraine crisis.

Russia calls for OSCE-mediated dialogue in Ukraine - Reuters

Ukraine leaders propose 'round table' on eastern rebellion with OSCE assistance - Reuters

OSCE secretary general arrives in Kiev to discuss ways of deescalation in Ukraine - ITAR-TASS

VIDEO: OSCE Chief Lamberto Zannier Discusses Roadmap with Ukrainian Government - YouTube

OSCE peacekeeping: draft ‘roadmap’ for defusing Ukraine - swissinfo.ch

Donetsk Activists Say Ready for Kiev Talks, Fear Deceit - RIA Novosti

Ukraine rebels in Donetsk and Lugansk ignore Putin call to delay self-rule vote - Reuters

VIDEO: Slavyansk’s acting mayor defiant, maintains May11 referendum - YouTube

Kharkov federalists decide against holding referendum on May 11 - The Voice of Russia

POLL: Pew: Despite Concerns about Governance, Ukrainians Want to Remain One Country (The poll was not conducted separately in the regions of Donetsk, Lugansk and Kharkov)  - Pew Research

POLL: Razumkov: The majority in the SouthEast Ukraine is opposed to the use of force by the Kiev government, wants dialogue between the opposing sides - businessinsider.com

Ukraine deploys 15,000 troops to Russian border, NATO beefs up forces in E. Europe: Moscow - RT News

Ukraine's Expanding National Guard Includes Kyiv Pro-Western Protesters (VIDEO) - VOA

NATO eyes 'defensive' permanent troop deployment near Russia's borders - RT News

Putin, marking Crimea annexation, lays claim to historic mantle - The Washington Post

VIDEO: Russia’s Putin Starts Army Drills - Bloomberg

Ukraine's Arms Industry Is Both Prize and Problem for Putin - Businessweek

This map shows how Russia’s military relies on Ukraine - washingtonpost.com

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At least 7 dead in southeastern Ukraine port city Mariupol - FresnoBee.com

Ukraine Forces Destroy Police Building in Mariupol - NYTimes.com

VIDEO: Shootout During Ukrainian Army Operation In Mariupol Eastern Ukraine - YouTube

VIDEO: Ukrainian soldier shoots man in Mariupol after being shot by a civilian - ITV News

VIDEO: Police Station Set On Fire By Ukrainian Forces In Mariupol Amid Renewed Fighting - YouTube

VIDEO: BMP light tanks and BRT armored personal carriers drove into the Mariupol, Some unarmed civilians tried to hold them up - YouTube

Abductions rise in east Ukraine as pro-Russian rebels brook no dissent, "People's Mayor" says harsh action needed in time of war: We have to make sure these people pose no threat - trust.org

Child wearing St. George's ribbon shot in Slavyansk - The Voice of Russia

To contact Bartolo email peaceloversingle@gmail.com

Putin to Ukraine rebels: postpone secession vote - Reuters

Ukraine crisis: Russia's Putin 'backs 25 May election’ - BBC News

VIDEO: Putin calls for end to Kiev’s military op, postponing referendum in E. Ukraine - RT News

Putin backs Merkel's proposal on meeting to establish dialogue between Kiev administration and eastern representatives - Voice of Russia

VIDEO: Poroshenko: Putin appeal to stop the referendum and acceptance of the presidential election is a great news - YouTube

NATO, U.S. dispute Putin's claim of Russian troop withdrawal near Ukraine - The Globe and Mail

Pentagon beefs up aid to Ukraine - Military Times

Donetsk Is Slipping Further Out of Kiev's Grasp - VICE News

Anti-Kiev protesters regain control of city council in Mariupol - RT News

VIDEO: Activists regain control of Mariupol city hall, surround it with tyres - YouTube

Rebel leader released in exchange for Ukrainian security men-separatists - Reuters

Ukraine: Captives of Separatists Describe Brutal Beatings - Human Rights Watch

Gazprom: Ukraine fails to pay its April gas bill - RT Business

Ukraine receives first aid tranche from IMF program - DW.DE

IMF to help Ukraine repay gas debts - ITAR-TASS

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Ukraine government says pro-Russian rebels sparked deadly Odessa fire - Fox News

Odessa survivor: After the pro-government attackers entered the Trade Union burning building, some people were strangled or shot (VIDEO) - RT

VIDEO: At 1:48 sec of the video a pro-government attacker yells from the roof to his people, At 2:18 they enter the rear of the building - YouTube

VIDEO: Proof that pro-government attackers were inside before fire erupted - LiveLeak.com

VIDEO: Pro-government attackers kill people of the Odessa Trade Union building and and scour their bodies  (English subtitle) - LiveLeak.com

PHOTO: Pregnant housecleaning woman strangled in Odessa union building - LiveLeak.com

VIDEO: Attacking injured people in front of the burned building in Odessa - LiveLeak.com

PHOTO: Man with molotov cocktails on the roof of Trade Unions House wearing the same red armband as the pro-government attackers on the street - hughmcmanners

VIDEO: Pro-government attackers entering the plaza at the Trade Union House in Odessa, burning the anti-government tents and attacking the building - YouTube

VIDEO: Survivor reveals what really happened in Odessa, click the button on the lower left (Captions) for ENG subs - LiveLeak.com

VIDEO: Odessa woman survivor shares terrifying experience, click the button on the lower left (Captions) for ENG subs - LiveLeak.com

PHOTOS, VIDEOS: A collection attesting the massive presence of armed pro-government protesters in Odessa on May 2 - cuamckuykot.livejournal

VIDEO: Maidan girls preparing the Molotov cocktails that were then used to assault the building - LiveLeak.com

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Dozens injured, fatalities on both sides in ongoing military op in Slavyansk (VIDEO) - RT News

Ukraine Helicopter Shot Down Over Slavyansk Amid Clashes (VIDEO) - Sky News

VIDEO: Bloodshed continues in Slovyansk - CNN

VIDEO: Ukraine troops attack roadblocks in Slavyansk - RT

VIDEO: Anti-Kiev militants beef up Slavyansk checkpoints - YouTube

VIDEO: Caught On Tape: Ukraine Helicopter Firing Rockets, Shot Down - Prison Planet.com

VIDEO: Gas pipe explodes amidst fierce fighting in Slavyansk - YouTube

VIDEO: Slavyansk woman killed on balcony by sniper - YouTube

VIDEO: Ukraine army enters Mariupol: Fighting & shooting in streets - YouTube

VIDEO: PrivatBank burns in Mariupol - YouTube

Ukraine's Largest Bank PrivatBank Suspends Cash Operations In The Rebel-Held East - Business Insider

VIDEO: PrivatBank shutters branches in Donetsk - YouTube

Raiffeisen Bank subsidiary suspends work in Ukraine’s Donetsk, Luhansk regions - ITAR-TASS

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Defiant chants ring out at Odessa's fireball funerals - Telegraph

VIDEO: Ukraine crisis: funerals for Odessa fire victims held - Telegraph

Ukraine sends elite force to Odessa due to unrest - SFGate

Ukraine, Kramatorsk: 'Those fascists killed this girl and they will be in hell’' - Telegraph

VIDEO: Funeral for nurse gunned down by Kiev military in Kramatorsk- LiveLeak.com

$10,000 a head: Right Sector Radicals put a bounty on UK journalist in Ukraine - RT News

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Germany pushing for new Ukraine talks in Geneva - Yahoo News

Kiev welcomes German initiative on second Ukraine talks in Geneva - Xinhua 

Russia calls on Kiev to 'stop the bloodshed', enter talks: statement - Reuters

Republicans push for bill to allow military aid to Ukraine - Washington Times

POLL: Growing concern over Ukraine but little support for military action - CNN.com Blogs

Ukraine's security service denies consultations with CIA - The Voice of Russia

OSCE observers detained in Sloviansk linked to Germany's intelligence service: media - ITAR-TASS

Kiev Struggles to Break Russia’s Grip on Gas Flow - NYTimes.com

Ukraine waits for Slovakia to turn on gas - Houston Chronicle

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Odessa police release 67 anti-govt activists after crowd surrounds police HQ (VIDEO) - RT News

VIDEO: Pro-Russia demonstrators storm Odessa police headquarters, win the release of 67 people detained - YouTube

VIDEO: Shocking! Bodies of Anti-govt Activists Burnt Alive In Odessa trade union building - YouTube

Radicals shooting at people in Odessa’s burning building caught on tape (VIDEO) - RT News

VIDEO: In Odessa Ukrainian far-right radicals finished off anti-govt people - YouTube

VIDEO: Odessa Horror: How clashes turned into massacre - YouTube

Avoiding facts? Mainstream Western media uncertain who is behind deadly Odessa blaze - RT News

Ukraine PM Says Odessa Violence Engineered By Russia, He also blamed security forces for failing to prevent the bloodshed - rferl.org

US Ambassador to Ukraine: No evidence of direct Russian involvement in violence in Odessa - Washington Times

CIA, FBI agents 'advising Ukraine government': report - Yahoo News

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Ukraine crisis: tension mounts in Kramatorsk after army rolls in, The separatists say at least 10 people were killed - Guardian

VIDEO: Ukrainian forces clash with rebels in Kramatorsk - YouTube

VIDEO: Ukraine’s Kramatorsk tense after clashes between rebels and army - Yahoo News Singapore

Pro-Russians regain control of buildings in Kramatorsk - turkishpress.com

At least one dead, two more wounded in Ukraine's Lugansk as bloody clashes continue - The Voice of Russia

In Lugansk, a rebel commander’s call to battle is answered - The Washington Post

VIDEO: Protesters rally outside Lugansk SBU building - YouTube

Pro-Russia gunmen in Slavyansk release OSCE European arms inspectors - latimes.com

Intercepted Phone Calls Show Putin Called The Shots On European Hostages In Ukraine - Forbes

Ukraine army cuts off main road to Slavyansk - GlobalPost

VIDEO: Ukrainian Army seals off Slavyansk - YouTube

Meet the self-proclaimed 'people’s mayor' of Ukraine's Slaviansk - France 24

In Ukraine, separatists seize one of last government sites in Donetsk - latimes.com

VIDEO: Crowd attempts to storm Donetsk Military Prosecutor's Office - YouTube

VIDEO: Protesters Storm Two Government Buildings in Donetsk - YouTube

Donetsk forms first regiment of Republican Army - The Voice of Russia

Kharkov mayor posts his photo from hospital after assassination attack - ITAR-TASS

Behind the Masks: The rebels are Ukrainians but have deep ties to Russia, They are veterans of the Soviet, Ukrainian or Russian Armies and some have families on the other side of the border - NYTimes

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