| Series Title | EurActiv |
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| Series Details | 06.05.14 |
| Publication Date | 06/05/2014 |
| Content Type | News |
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On the 4 May 2014, Germany urged Russia and Ukraine to come back to negotiations in Geneva after a deadly fire in Odessa had further stoked the tensions in Ukraine. NATO's top military commander in Europe said on the 6 May 2014 that he no longer thought regular Russian troops would enter eastern Ukraine, predicting Moscow could achieve its goals through the unconventional forces stirring up trouble there. The EU reported on the 8 May 2014 that European Council President Herman Van Rompuy would go to Ukraine on the 12 May 2014 to discuss how to stabilise the situation there before the presidential election on the 25 May 2014. Russia's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov ruled out on the 6 May 2014 holding fresh talks in Geneva to defuse the Ukraine crisis, unless pro-Russian opposition groups were involved. Preparations continued amongst pro-Russia activists for a referendum to be held on the 11 May 2014 in the eastern part of Ukraine demanding the right for self-determination. However, preparations also continued for a presidential election in the whole of Ukraine on the 25 May 2014. Russian President Vladimir Putin urged on the 7 May 2014 pro-federalisation activists in southeastern Ukraine to postpone a unofficial referendum on self-determination planned for the 11 May 2014 to ensure the start of nationwide dialogue. He was speaking at a joint press conference with OSCE Chairman Didier Burkhalter in Moscow. The BBC and other news sources also reported what appeared to be a shift in Russian policy, Mr Putin said the planned 25 May 2014 presidential elections in Ukraine were a move 'in the right direction'. President Putin also announced he was ordering Russian troops back from the Ukrainian border. However, pro-Russian activists in eastern Ukraine decided to go ahead with the independence referendum on the 11 May 2014, despite the call from President Putin to postpone it. Preparations for the ballot proceeded in the Donetsk region. |
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| Source Link | Link to Main Source http://www.euractiv.com/sections/global-europe/nato-russia-can-achieve-its-goals-ukraine-without-invading-301934 |
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| Countries / Regions | Ukraine |
