Heavy fighting reported in separatist-held Ukrainian city / EU and US see ‘moment of opportunity’ on Ukraine crisis

Fighting raged in eastern Ukraine for the second straight day on the 3 June 2014 as the army rolled out an offensive against pro-Russia separatists holding the city of Slaviansk, with dead and wounded on both sides.

BBC News reported that separatist rebels took two Ukrainian military bases in the eastern region of Luhansk as fighting continued near Slaviansk.

US President Barack Obama said after a G7 meeting in Brussels on 5 June 2014 that if Putin recognised Ukraine’s new leader, Petro Poroshenko, and stopped pouring arms and fighters into Ukraine, then it would "be possible for us to begin to rebuild trust”. [for more information on the G7 meeting, check the relevant related URL]

Chancellor Angela Merkel said Germany stood ready to support Ukraine's president-elect Petro Poroshenko as he tackled his country's crisis.

Mr. Poroshenko was scheduled to be sworn in on 7 June 2014.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Ukraine: Rebels hold monitors, helicopter shot down http://www.europeansources.info/record/ukraine-rebels-hold-monitors-helicopter-shot-down-uncertainty-on-date-of-eu-ukraine-treaty-signature/

ESO: Key Source: Euromaidan - Protests in Ukraine 2013 - 2015 - Key source http://www.europeansources.info/record/euromaidan-protests-in-ukraine-2013-2015/

The Guardian, 04.06.14: Ukraine crisis: Cameron meeting with Putin brought forward http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/jun/04/ukraine-crisis-cameron-meeting-putin-brought-forward

Spiegel Online International, 04.06.14: 'A European War': The Fight for Ukraine's East Gets Bloodier http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/fighting-intensifies-in-eastern-ukraine-as-kiev-advances-a-973304.html

BBC News, 04.06.14: Ukraine crisis: Rebels take bases in Luhansk region http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-27693781

The Guardian, 04.06.14: Ukraine troops flee post in Luhansk after running out of ammunition http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/04/ukraine-troops-flee-luhansk-pro-russia-forces

Euronews, 03.06.14: Ukraine: border back-up call as attack launched in Sloviansk http://www.euronews.com/2014/06/03/ukraine-border-back-up-call-as-attack-launched-in-sloviansk/

Deutsche Welle, 03.06.14: More heavy fighting between rebels, government forces in eastern Ukraine http://dw.de/p/1CBTy

Euronews, 05.06.14: Putin denies trying to destabilise Ukraine http://www.euronews.com/2014/06/05/putin-denies-trying-to-destabilise-ukraine/

The New York Times, 04.06.14: A Separatist Militia in Ukraine With Russian Fighters Holds a Key http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/05/world/europe/in-ukraine-separatist-militia-with-russian-fighters-holds-a-key.html

ESO: Background information: G7 Summit 2014, Brussels, 4-5 June 2014 http://www.europeansources.info/record/g7-summit-2014-brussels-4-5-june-2014/

Euronews, 06.06.14: Ukraine’s internally displaced refugees flee to Kyiv, Russia http://www.euronews.com/2014/06/06/ukraine-s-internally-displaced-refugees-flee-to-kyiv-russia/

Deutsche Welle, 05.06.14: G7 summit ends with warnings to Russia to cooperate with Kyiv http://dw.de/p/1CDNu

Deutsche Welle, 05.06.14: Germany's Merkel meets Ukraine's Poroshenko in Berlin, pledges support http://dw.de/p/1CDTW

The Guardian, 05.06.14: G7 leaders warn Russia of wide-ranging sanctions over Ukraine http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/05/g7-leaders-russia-ukraine-sanctions

BBC News, 05.06.14: Ukraine crisis: Russia must engage with Kiev, says G7 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-27719728

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