ukraine. we reject all attempts of russia to blame the government of ukraine for allegedly failing to implementthe agreements and we state that despite numerous calls of the international community, the russia federation has taken no efforts to de-escalate the situation and implement geneva agreement. instead, russia's strongly supports illegal militant groups operating in the eastern region of ukraine. endangering civilians, seizing hostages, and creating an atmosphere of terror and violence. security, as well as protection of rights and fundamental freedoms of all people of ukraine, remain a top priority for the government of ukraine. therefore, purpose of the counterterrorist operation, the active phase of which has been renewed in -- is to isolate civilian populations of the city. the commandment of the counterterrorist operation has required from the heavily armed illegal militants to immediately free all hostages, including ose monitors, and to stop violence and massacres. ukrainian authorities are ready to amnesty all those members of militant groups who haven't committed serious crimes.

controlunclear how much russia actually has on what is taking place inside ukraine. s, there is russian support and russia is in favor of a chaotic and unstable ukraine. but russia itself does not want to annex eastern ukraine. it cannot economically, financially and socially supported. it's a very different region than crimea, which is primarily russian ethnically. eastern ukraine is the front and russia's not ready to support fully economically, financially, militarily at this time. russiadoesn't mean doesn't like the chaos and instability taking place because the more chaos there is in ukraine, the more the government in kiev will have trouble actually passing real legislation that would undermine russia's influence inside ukraine as a whole. >> presidential elections are scheduled for ukraine on may 25. is russia going to try to disrupt the vote? >> russia backed off that last week. president putin said the elections on may 25 could actually be a first good step toward an agreement in ukraine on decentralizing power. russia is showing there is some wiggle room her

he has it is that killed by government forces in ukraine and russia will our old folks unless i rescued them. i'm a bit. well anything the revenue of nine carrying my swim the length of the insured people in the wild. only sixty s the team's belief in yourself but try and try try again it would become successful i knew the eye. i do. i'll northeast wind area. well the age between twelve and fifteen the nineteen states as nigeria has extensive deal from her house. no bends light taste. the key to happiness if he does still goes to his boarding school in iq is no shock to penetrate known that system to violence. and now that shop even intensified the kidneys is expected that the hat and gunmen have kidnapped a small bells made it to the country's northeast this goes on agenda as too well. she had a meeting about the objections eighth of may the ninety eighth. i am. an aunt who can't get that. he caught eighty eight and nine with that. today we got our mission. instead of a mental abuse. the authenticity of commitment to the question to you. eight of the ten states last week was the best i

ukraine. on tuesday, secretary of state john kerry criticized russia's call for ukraine to postpone the election >> is very hard to reconcile that russia is now making the argument that ukraine ought to reduce and not have an election or postpone an election because the violence is taking place, but russia is full whole hog behind having election in syria where there's far worse violence. reconcile that one for us, please. ry who is nower become secretary of war, and not secretary of state. he is supposed to be our chief diplomat. at recall him uttering in the word about any kind of diplomacy the last two weeks. why he's so embattled, i don't know. let's remember what putin said as of last thursday. there's clip you showed may be out of date will stop putin says, russia have been opposed to the presidential election in ukraine on the 25th. >> he spoke on tuesday. this was him speaking. >> then this is a little out of date. on thursday, i believe, putin said, you want to have presidential election in ukraine. it is a crazy idea, but please go ahead, we will interfere. it is a crazy idea. why is i

between the ukraine and russia, compromise is possible. everyone knows what it stake. nd the europeans first concerned by this crisis are also prepared. principles that will respect the sovereignty of the ukraine is still conceivable. but to that end, what first from a bad a stop spy novel. ,he ministry of foreign affairs we don't need an amateur james bond drinking vodka nor diplomats. we need to come back to the principles that are the foundations of international life. i think the representative of france and give the floor to the representative of the united kingdom. republicratulate the for assuming the president is here on the security council in the month of may. esther president, thank you for convening this meeting. the russian federation has described events as a punitive military operation against peaceful activists. this is yet again a gross distortion of the facts. the ukrainian government has the right and the responsibility to uphold the rule of law and in its own citizens territory. it should do so in a proportionate and measured way. the actions underta

russia prior to april seventeen. more attempts to stir up trouble more efforts to undermine the government of ukraine and statement after statement better at odds with the facts what we have not seen as a single positive step by russia. the sanctions aimed at undermining the surge of apron and oven and then only deepen the crisis state of mind about what the answer is sixteen going on are not eastern ukraine and spring but jewellery and nice container from the outside to the stability treat. but evoke some misgivings after screen. the intent of a lady became a captive. although most concede to know the woman had an excursion in the procedural. it was obvious she mounted to the top and then suddenly missed a step and fell into a cavity between the walls of the downtown when the old lady had to spend three hours this leads on to their own hair and called rescue service. she was dedicated to thomas takes me to heights by helicopter. now she's in the hospital so that is not correct and the casino is temporarily out of service experts investigate how the visit of god in trouble i decided not to further protect others. opera

. >>> vladimir putin has ordered troops stationed near russia's border with ukraine to withdraw. r. putin is claimed to have announced the end of military training exercises. russia made similar statements in the past. tensions remain high in eastern ukraine. pro russian militia continue to enforce roadblocks. several demonstrations were held over the weekend. moscow supports their drive for independence a across kiev. >>> a large operation underway in serbia following the flooding. at least 30 have died. it's feared that number will rise. authorities have asked for more supplies of food, clothing and bottled water. we hear more about the evacuation efforts. >> we see many people leaving their homes. there's a matter of effort, emergency services from the individual companies. there's also a lot of cooperation as well. flags from places like macedonia joining in former areas. there's planes arriving from russia, european union and united nations. >>> there's been big words about this merger. is it going to happen? >> rejected once again. astrazeneca board rejected the bid from u.s

ukraine. it is obvious to the world of these russian backed groups are not peaceful protesters. there we are militants. for receiving significant support from russia russian leadership must know that if it continues to de stabilize eastern ukraine. and disrupt this month's presidential election we will move quickly on additional steps. neon is any guide both the nintendo intent was to make it my company my new baby. on the basis of stuff to audition it literally has the right direction finally worst it's a very up to standards of chaos on the stove and we will see to it. they see me and nathan talking down from the system i think i'm a twenty to make his own. life went on in my state. the unavoidable to something that we can one man isn't it easy on to the this week. the land of. song online. he admits the road the origins of the job here just to be shown me just add to this position in eastern europe. wish it was about as directors at the korean quite good. the interest of mine hunters from norwegian netherlands belgium and is doing a reading test is to keep security is of note it's the antithesis of interest want is right. the most authentic evi

russia. half that supply runs through ukraine. twice in the past, russia has cut off those supplies. it is threatening to do so again if ukraine does not come up with the money. this is an ongoing story. everything depends on the money landing in the account on moscow -- in moscow on monday, and possible negotiations in brussels later in the day. >> thank you very much. thailand's coup leader ruled out elections for at least a year. in a televised address, general prayuth chan-ocha outlined plans to restore democracy. >> the first phase would focus on reconciliation between divided political factions, followed by political reforms. finally, when the political reforms are in place, and election will take place. the army took control of thailand last month after months of antigovernment protests. officials in the northern indian state of uttar pradesh have fire to police officers for ignoring the disappearance of two girls who were gang raped and murdered. >> the teenage cousins were found hanging from a tree early on a. the families accuse the police of failing to take action when they

russia is a great power compared with the ukraine. so few people can come out on the states arm themselves with the assistance of russia, and make a big difference. which will not be directly involved in the affairs of eastern ukraine. and they may allow them to work it out by themselves. there are differences but you hope that it would be add cat to allow the citizens to work it out for themselves. it began with a very strong presence by the united states, tip lomatic, which is then countered by even stronger involvement by the russian government. and between those two forces. not take such an active part. flu the russian media, and allow the ukrainians to decide for themselves through an election. >> let me just jump in there, is -- do you get the sense, that a government in moscow is willing to accept the outcome whatever that outcome is of the elections on the twenty-fifth. >> . >> if the government follows flu on what it seems to have declared, which is that it is going to reconsider the description of power between the center and

in short, russia's actions in ukraine are making an already weak russian economy even weaker. moreover, if russia continues on its current course, we have a range of tools ats our disposal, including sanctions that would target certain sectors of the russian economy. we've been consulting closely with you're european and g-7 partners and stepping up our planning. angela and i continued these consultations today. the russian leadership must know if it continues to destabilize eastern ukraine and disrupt this month's presidential election, we will move quickly on additional steps including further sanctions that will impose greater cost. but that is a choice facing the russian leadership. our preference is a diplomatic resolution to the issue and ukrainian government has shown itself more than willing to work through some of the issues that would ensure that the rights of all ukrainians are respected and that you have a representative government and they've shown themselves willing to discuss amendments to their constitution, the power to a local level. they have gone through wit

ukraine. that's obvious. and since march russia has amassed at least 40,000 combat troops and heavy equipment on the eastern border with ukraine, and today the russian defense minister stated russia will take steps to increase its presence in the black sea with additional warships and submarines. now, in response to requests by the ukrainian government, last month the administration announced $8 million in nonlethal military assistance. we know that this aid package was very welcome there and included bomb disposal equipment, hand held radios, engineering equipment, communications equipment, vehicles, and nonlethal tactical gear for the ukraine border guard. now, deputy assistant secretary farkas, in your testimony you state that the defense department is working to identify additional assistance resources for ukraine but that quote, ukraine's request for material assistance are far reaching and vastly outstrip our ability to meet them under current authorities and appropriations. so i need to press you. what is it that they're ask

, directly not just a question of the subsidization of gas from russia into the ukraine, it was tying the economics together and with a lot of money factoring and economic processes, the markets, nearly all of ukrainian manufacture goes to russia it is highly unlikely anybody else will take on all of these enterprises and probably when you look down the line you are seeing between the range of 5 billion to 10 billion depending on how you factor this in of orders coming into the russia economy directly from the russia. the entire market for the chocolate that the president was selling within russia itself is it is likely unlikely that consumers elsewhere in europe are going to buy the president's chocolate so we will have to think very clearly about how russia plays into this and putin is all about that one of his biggest complaints about the european union's association agreement was the ukraine being taken out of russia's economic -- he kept signaling for many months that he wanted to sort of sit down at the table and have a discussion about this, about how this was goi

ukraine, not even in crimea. why did it all now happen, and i think the main reason is russia has been instigating it. >> this waseorge, a badly-run country since the break-up of the soviet union, it's not a place that started to unravel or become unstable. ukraine. >> i don't believe the west is afraid of owning it. ukraine was bad economically. what it did not have was the ethnic tension or violence among the ukranian speakers. that existed. there was no crisis here. we are seeing a similar situation as what we saw in the balkans. during the cold war there was no ethnic tensions if vladimir putin s his agenda and his doctrine of "i will defend speakers no matter where they are", we see a lot of danger not just in ukraine, but central asia." are we lack looking at something that will take time to resolve. >> it's far from over. if the west do not help the kiev government, and if it does not restore order and have elections we'll see not just the russian conquest of ukraine, but also perhaps of moldova and aggression in central asia and the baltic republics. >> you were shaking your head. what do you hear that yo

chop down a ukrainian minutes be helpful to the coast since friday last week gm says russia has already invaded ukraine and the war has already begun boston to know is that us troops on the ground despite a substantial body of evidence which the international community says koreas russia is not telling the truth . graham bought new one. hundreds marched through the streets of the southern ukrainian city of odessa and support for united ukrainian attendees place their support for newly appointed police chief steve aitken during check and recheck replaces kilter with steele who was fired following the clashes since the last raid which took more than forty people dead. it is said to be or how it treats its pro russian separatists with active demonstration and trigger phrase chaos with liberalism which job with the kids did it. we are here to protect our citizens from the pro russian activists to one against which to join the russian federation. i know that simple. gold received. separatists that at least the city earlier in a demanding the release of her rights activists were arrested during the day of th

ukraine. on the other side, we're definitely seeing a hardening of wills as well. more forces coming in from russiahis time into ukraine, describing themselves as chechen volunteers. important to point out that these are not conventional russian forces as far as they are concerned. they're describing themselves as irregulars that have volunteered the fight with the separatists. we saw video of a group of 30 or 40 of them, eyewitnesses on the ground say they saw a convoy of up to 10. we are seeing escalation on both sides. minutes, the ap has tweeted that they have seen 30 dead rebels this morning. clearly, things are picking up in the east of the country. >> the biggest commodity, the single issue is gas, whether it is for europe and certainly the ukraine. it looks like the noises we are somend be inching toward kind of deal. what he seen so far between the ukraine and russia? enough, you could call gas another battleground in the complex between russia and ukraine. there's a tentative agreement reached yesterday between ukrainians and russians. it had to be agreed by their governments by the end o

ukraine. firstly, that big natural gas deal with china. russia has to look for new customers because its biggest customers in western europe now say because of ukraine, they want to buy less russian natural gas. so, there's a big business imperative. natural gas is a big part of the russian economy, but there's also symbolic, a big political message here, that despite what the u.s. says, russia still has friends, can still do business, that it is not isolated internationally, as the united states and europe say that it is because of its actions in ukraine. now, on the border between russia and ukraine, russia now says it is pulling back its troops there, and the president, vladimir putin, says that's because russia wants to create a favorable environment for sunday's presidential election. russia is clearly playing a softer line on ukraine, as it has done for recent weeks. putin says that the election on sunday is a positive step now. now, the key question, though, is what happens monday, after these elections are held? there are still pro-russia

ukraine. less than 24 hours after the controversy over for self-rule, the leadership declared they want to join russia you consider the potentially momentous implications of donetsk raking away from ukraine, surprisingly few people have turned up tonight. only a few hundred are here to cheer on the leadership of the new self-declared donetsk people's republic. the armed pro-russia activists claim 2.5 million people voted in the poll, far more than seems possible. with that exaggerated mandate, they made this request. >> based on the will of the people and in order to restore historical justice, we ask the russian federation to consider the absorbing of the donetsk people's republic into the russian federation. [applause] areas, theyoring also declared self-rule after an equally controversial poll. moscow continued to encourage them, calling for the referendums to be acted on, prompting this response from the interim prime minister of ukraine. >> russia should stop supporting terrorists. it should calling them to lay down arms and free the buildings they occupy. they should also stop funding them. then

ukraine. it is obvious to the world of these russian backed groups are not peaceful protesters. there we are militants. for receiving significant support from russia russian leadership must know that if it continues to de stabilize eastern ukraine. and disrupt this month's presidential election we will move quickly on additional steps. neon is any guide the theme and to know her name and what is happening in my company my new baby. he's on the basis of stuff to audition it literally has the right direction. i know they wish to on loan until you get in on it and it's a very up to standards but they also bought a new stove and we will see to it. they seem in the east block down from the un system i think i'm a twenty fifth of may. life went on in my state of israel and the other. when the sun than we can one man. it isn't an easy run to the and is equipped with an eagle eye on the land on me. and it's all delegates elected to ride in the mix the road. the owners of the job here just to be issues need to stick to this position in eastern europe wish it wasn't as directors at the korean quite good just to plant hunters from norwegian netherlands belgi

report says human rights are under attack in eastern ukraine. russia slams the document, saying it is completely biased. >> im molly hall in paris and i will be with you in the next hour. also coming up, the cannes film festival in full swing. catching one of the screenings is no easy task. some tips on how to make sure you get a seat. outrage image prompting in turkey. an aide to the prime minister called lashing out at a protester in the wake of the terrible mine accident. william hildebrand has that story and more. but first, we begin with what is on track to be a resounding the three in the world biggest election. after weeks of voting that saw a, india's opposition bjp party is heading for a commanding win. official results are not yet in but the party that had been at the center of indian politics for decades has conceded defeat. trends,ving the early toogress party and upa respectfully accept defeat. >> let's get an update on the situation of for that we cross to the natasha butler who is in new delhi. ministerrime congratulated the bjp party fo

ukrainian forces reaffirms our assessment of the armed groups in east ukraine include professionals funded equipped and directed by russia ukraine remains comedian committed to the implementation of the agreements reached in the medium of foreign ministers of ukraine the russian federation the european union and the united states in geneva on the pill seventeen. free and fair presidential elections only twenty five remain so for unity of the dome to puke green. to reject what dems of pressure to blame the government if ukraine for allegedly failing to implement the agreements and the state that despite numerous calls for the international community the russian federation has taken no efforts to escalate the situation and implement the geneva agreement. is this precious soul is of course illegal medical groups operating in the eastern region of ukraine. and injuring civilians. soon cause for this cause the just and creating an atmosphere of terror and lemons. security as well as protection of rights and fundamental freedoms of all people look at the door to green. i mean the open era did for the garment a few green theref

russia and ukraine can't agree. deliveries to europe could also be affected the eu has been trying to resolve the dispute the form of the policies of sharon goodwill today. they have indicated that they want to heat up the gas sector to turn it into a tool to politics. that is up to find solutions was obvious. i picked up. still in negotiations and get over the eu holes in the meeting on energy between russia and ukraine in the coming weeks ok for some background hill scribbled on trial he's an economist at the institute for east european studies at the nq the free university of berlin. good to have you with us mr fennell first of all let's take a step back and look at russia right now and it's the big chip in this game. economically the gas that is its gas supplies for germany for eastern europe what it be that easy for russia to simply turn off the gas to europe. when we would not be easy though it would be rather difficult russia is hard currency reserves. in less than five hundred million but has that collective

russia. grand plan?n's will we see the ukraine's divide ? it is clear what his grand plan has been four months. -- fo r months. russia has a fallback position. itough the maiden protests, was clear that he could not have the whole of the ukraine, so the idea is that he takes the bits he can get away with. i think that is crystal clear from what we have seen in crimea and south and east of ukraine in the last few months. rex a secession vote in crimea led to an ignition. >> a secession vote in crimea led to annexation. does it lead to eastern parts of the country or not? >> it is a little bit trickier. they are controlled through the presence of 20,000 troops. engineering and ensuring an annexation is a lot more challenging. is thattegy from russia they would rather like to expand russia's borders and if opportunities arise, they will do it. i think they really want the populations to welcome them in. i do not think they want a protracted and long drawnout military conflict. is to stabilize ukraine to the point at which russian peacekeepers a

now he's sending airplanes there and that is a threat to eastern ukraine. russia is not a calming force in ukraine. >> how different is this from the other a countrys that we have seen this happening like georgia? >> it is different than georgia in a key way, that is often overlooked. in 2008, the regions had not be under a meaningful sovereignty for over a decade. that is not true in eastern decade. >> this is meaningful? >> this is more meanful and more aggressive efforts. this forces went into russia in 2008. this is a more and lasted much longer in ukraine, this is a more serious and dangerous situation. >> coming back to this, how did kiev lose control of the strong holds and what can they do to regain the control? >> kiev, i'm not sure used that language, you have had a very divided population in ukraine, and you have had weak institutions that can't bring a divided country today. we have division in the united states too. but our institutions reasonably well to keep it together. that is not happening in ukraine. following the ousting or the democratic revol

in berlin talks between the eu, ukraine and russia, have brought forth agreements that ukraine would llion to russia and a further 500 million if both governments agree. are you encouraged by that? does that mean we are inching toward some sort of deal? does it all come down to price and how they will achieve this repayment agreement? >> there has to be a deal, basically, before russia comes table. this is certainly a key requisite. we are very likely to see toaine making overtures russia in this regard, and certainly looking to implement a payment as soon as possible. >> what are the prospects for ukraine economy at this point? as i understand, donetsk and luhansk represent a significant portion of ukraine's output. what are poroshenko's prospects for reforming the economy? >> is going to be a big challenge. he is not just president, he finding uphill battle support for himself in the parliament. ukraine is going to face economic challenges in the coming year, quite severe ones, potentially. buttressed only by the imf money that is coming. >> with they reach terms that it is anas sai

how difficult could the situation get for you in russia and ukraine? always very difficult. it creates some uncertainty. we have changed our outlook for the russian markets. could the situation get for you in russia and ukraine? >> it is always very difficult. compared to what we had in february before the crimea situation happened. the change in the outlook for the beer category is driven by the more uncertain, more negative macro environment. anng into the year, we had assumption to gdp in russia would be between 1.5% increase in now we are assuming flat tdp for the year. -- gdp for the year. we are saying the worst outlook for russia, we will be able to compensate so we can still deliver the same underlying performance as a business. because of worse currency exchange rates, the russian it will be a low single digit increase. >> in terms of the weakening ruble. do you have to raise prices to counter it? a gives an advantage to some of your competitors. >> you can only do so much on consumer price without risking significant negative impacts. precauti

european leaders this week announced a new but tentative deal between the ukraine and russia. eover gas races roots and serious concert once is. class the ukraine presidential election may help solve one problem here -- who is in charge. a new president will face several serious challenges, including a gas -- this is with russia. recently, they took over the ukraine gas company. they get almost all the gas from .he russia gas company ukraine leaders say it is on these mobile. constructive.t off anhe politics -- the aging policies. they are all consequences of a shared past. fighting maybe taking lace hundreds of miles to the east. economickraine, and and lyrical this dude is raging. it's the us on five lines like .hese voters in on the euro and they are used to massively with industrial energy. it pays the lands for those the mess gas needs. that is where much higher in will hurt national gas. >> most of the bills are in the united days dollars while residential uses pay. current the has fallen against the dollar. when gas demand -- it gets squeezed. saysa's prime minister that

ukraine's ambassador was consensus that artsy rei in eastern ukraine might be similar to the one implemented by russia in abkhazia. that reminds you that ukraine has never threatened the strain of the wheel. ukraine is going to human beings want to be left alone. the highest level of cynicism is a russian reference to the right was still good friends in a situation where it is a russian who is taking his aggressor. having gone through quite creamy and he's going to be interfering in internal persecute grain is to the eyes and then trying to create resources situation in eastern regions of ukraine us ambassador matter how upset russia has kept stuttering traveled on to mining the key of government and releasing statements which distort the facts even since beans national agreements and the crisis in ukraine was like in geneva on april the seventeenth instead russian officials have refused to publicly call on the separatists to give up their weapons and relinquish their illegal control ukrainian government buildings. in fact russia continues to find to courtenay and to fuel the heavily armed separatist

and the urgent challenge to de-escalate conflict and avoid miscalculation over the events in ukraine and russia. nato expansion is again being scrutinized. today's topic into the fold or out in the cold could not be more timely or fit better with what the wilson center does well our kennan institute headed by

utin's plan is for the ukraine. russia can change russia with people power and change the democracy. >> you spent weeks after week, night after night. >> i was there 100 days and nights. i sang the national anthem 500 times. you frightened? >> no, never. we lost our fear. i cannot explain it. we stayed together. we have a lot of dangerous situations. we lost fear and tried to protect each other. in says thet put protesters are fascists. have you met any fascists? ukraine wants peace. we canceled our nuclear weapons. we don't have any weapons to fight with aggression of putin. we just want peace, no war. tries with propaganda to destroy the image of ukraine. >> when you look at the situation today with the interim government, are you satisfied? >> we need any legal government now. of course, we didn't have elections. were surprised for that. how it is possible. shame on history that the president of ukraine. the next election, ukraine will have 2015. so, we need to support the government. we need to help any legal governmen

scoup -- security council , where russia is a permanent member. the president says ukraineestroyed the agreement meant to calm tensions. >> translation: if the criminal misadventures of the kiev clooek are not stopped. the catastrophic happenings cannot be avoided. >> president obama hosted german chancellor angela merkel at the white house. wrestling with ways to turn up the heat on vladimir putin whilst not hurting german's economic ties to russia, trades amounting to $100 billion. >> a word on sanction, i agree with the american president. they are not an end in itself, but combined with an of of diplomatic solutions it's a necessary second component to show that we are serious about our principals. >> it is obvious to the world that the russian-backed groups are not peaceful protesters. they are heavily armed mill tans receiving support from russia. the ukranian government has the right to uphold law and order in its territory. russia needs to use influence so they disarticle and stop provoking violence. >> the president touched on kidnapping of international observers

will it be part of ukraine or russia? >> it's our policy that it remains to ukraine and should return to ukrainian control. >> so you done know. how about you? >> i agree with mr. hartley. >> you don't know. the kidnap watchers. who kidnapped them? >> they weren't election observers, it was a team composed of eight europeans led by thiermans and they had five ukrainian escorts with ep them. they were kidnapped by a pro -- by pro-russia individuals, a ro-russia group in eastern ukraine. >> what were they doing in eastern ewe rain? you say they're inspectors, of what? >> they were there under the vienna document, all 57 nations that are participating states in the organization for security and cooperation in europe to include russia have agreed to a set of measures that are intended to build confidence among the partners, mong the participants. part 1 mechanism of that is our inspections that each -- each participating state is obliged to receive a certain number of inspections every year but they can also offer voluntary in

we see russia's hand in destabilizing efforts in ukraine. rst we saw crimea, which also lead to an illegal annexation of crimea, and i have no doubt that russia is also moved in the destabilization of eastern ukraine as we are currently witnessing. >> defense secretary -- u.s. defense secretary, chuck hagel testified before congress saying that this crisis really demonstrates the lack of nato funding. if this came down to a battle between nato forces and russia today, are you confident you have the resources to win? >> we have all plans in place. we have the resources required to ensure effective defense and protection of all allies against any threat, but having said that, i'm also concerned about the declining defense budgets. we have seen deep cuts in european defense budgets during recent years because of the economic crisis, during the same period of time we have seen russia significantly increase its defense investments. and this trend cannot continue, so time has come to stop cuts in europe, and gradually start increasing defense inves

tom helped by government forces in ukraine russia roll out more hopes. the event. it may seem all industrialized nations plans to wean itself off brushing can supply is falling and the team any team in the stands. but russia's president bottom and continue east easing is an anti african economic one hand and wrist is from canada from gemini eight relate to town i'm thinking in the united states has agreed to act as one ended his speech at the ocean crashing. russia supplies and the fed appears count on for two thousand ways shapes through ukraine a great subject. the to bring you the least. we know that we have to tackle the challenge. it doesn't just come from official said situation. in the ukraine crimea. but we seem to share and use a wet . for his actions. experts. the world the g seven. went back to business as usual. we just saw like that. that is taught the jazz and acquisition frenzy at pains to be continually am heading fourteen point two dollars and that she may have been a family buying brown and put it on the michael cooper kind and talented. i think i

i think this is the key to it holding ukraine together. russia has called for the election to be postponed as long as ukrainian troops are deployed against parts of ukraine's population. well the flurry of diplomatic activity comes as the fighting in eastern ukraine intensive phonics and government are upset and circle the flashpoint city of lubbock and candor tightening their grip after deadly clashes with progress since the protests. tss thirty insurgents and foreign government soldiers were killed in battles on monday ukraine has stepped up its offensive to try to take back control in the east the rebel fighters ever been hoping for mass production fighters still man the barricades lead into the center still be on they're patrolling the streets the eastern ukrainian city remained quiet on tuesday a day after bitter fighting in which thirty heavily armed separatists were killed according to the ukrainian government the separatists and for good number have done it. it was key as most ambitious effort to retake looking on. it said ukrainian troop

. >>> vladimir putin is ordering troops stationed near borders of ukraine to withdraw to permanent bases. russia has made similar statements in the past but have had no major troop movement. there's continuing violence in ukraine with forces loyal to the government in kiev taking on pro russian separatists. >>> south korea's president has announced plans to break up the country's coast guard in the wake of last month's ferry disaster. more than 300 people, many skill children, died when the ferry sank. in an emotional televised address, mr. park apologized and said the new safety agency would handle rescue missions. >> the tearful president park with the name of passengers and crew who died trying to save others in the ferry disaster. this was her most formal apology today in a televised address. >> i could not sleep properly in the last few days in anguish thinking of students. the responsibility of not dealing with this incident is placed on me. helleicopters and boats that ca to the aid were to rescue only over a third of those on board. 339 were children and their teachers on a school trip.

of de stabilizing ukraine russia has fear filled in on its commitments. the separatists in donetsk and hans told osce observers that they hadn't even received any messages at all from russia urging them to stand down. ms hammond said. baghdad the us will be judging russia by its actions not its words she also said during her testimony that rush had to stop it immediately stop i getting any support or sympathizing with this apparatus with the opposition in ukraine but that hired me as a few months ago when there was an opposition in the uprising hide in kyiv. i get the former leader you create the us supported those eyes those protesters in this case where there's a new opposition the us is not supporting them. then aaron season between chief business new europe believes it's time for us to make concessions and scrap its policy of trying to contain mosque action is taken down in the next few days. then it's going to be too late says will buy from a very nasty civil war. and on the side of the incessant it's the stupidity of th

so they might not be as sweeping as something we would see if russia invaded ukraine. but it's going to be something along those lines. president obama sort of parsed it out, saying, look, it's not realistic to say we're going to ban oil and gas exports from russia to europe, ban anyone taking those. that's just not going to work under the current conditions and looking at the global economy. angela merkel said, you know, it's not what we want to do, we don't want to impose such sweeping sanctions. but if we have to, then germany and the eu are ready and willing. that's something many people had a question about. if the u.s. wanted to take that step, would the eu go along with it, wolf? >> stand by, michelle, because matthew chance is in moscow. he was watching, listening. what's the likely reaction going to be from the russians, matthew? >> well, they're going to be watching this very closely, of course, for any differences between washington and that key european leader, angela merkel. and i think there wasn't probably as much unity between the two leaders as they wer

russian ukrainian border russia's defence ministry enabled the assessments coming from the west if any co ops his nineteen coach and explain. the ministry has a sound that say ukraine cleese up to fifteen thousand ethics in on three trips to its border with russia. i think that the ego as well as pentagon are deliberately distorting the real picture of what is at the moment happening at the border between russia and ukraine and a half to see that and the other recent past there's been a number of fact i'd accusations treaty coming from my precious foreign partners including media that sad that was the thing that bryson not treated troops are present at the border with ukraine. what's this i now laugh with the pressure has led him to he said that russian troops have been with strong to their regular locations where they conduct their regular trail sign that that was done as just another staff to de escalate tensions and the particular area but this daily meetings officials are questioning the statements and they say that there is no indication the top eight teams in the american forces position in response to that stretches defend ministry says that studio is distor

has little view swaying the people in ukraine. >> russia has influence over the insurgence in eastern ukraine but but the influences are not absolute. it is about the same as pakistan over insurgents. after all, these insur jegents dying in the antiterrorism violence. it is not mr. putin dying there. so they don't want to die for nothing. but the problem is that they only put one question to the people, do you want the regions to be declared sovereign states and do you want to regions to become sovereign? this is not feasible for the regions to become sovereign states. the best solutions is sooler -- sooner or later to elect their governors, right now they are getting them from kiev and there should be some comp prizing in kiev and kiev is not ready for a compromise. >> dozens of syrian soldiers are killed by rebels. fighters detonated a massive bomb in a hotel used by the army barracks. the rebel forces leaving the old city. we have more from beirut. >> the last 400 armed rebels left today and now the forces are in full control of the third largest city

poroshenko himself has said, he would like to have good relations with russia, doesn't see russia as an opponent, that ukraine and russia have to have good relations. so his rhetoric background and demeanor all indicated that this is someone putin may be able to deal with. at the same time is he very good for ukraine, he would move towards the west, he would grant stability to the country, cement legitimacy of the government and he would be able to rally a lot of the forces, economic forces in particular, since he comes with a background of an oligarch himself, rally a lot of the oligarchs himself in moving forward. >> anna, i see you nodding in agreement with the ambassador. is the popularity strong there? >> he is the most strong candidates of 20. the people i spoke to in kyiv haven't made up their mind who they're going to vote for, even today, two days before the election they watch debates on television. today there was a debate between credit tymochenko, monopolies, chance. so people are a little lost now. they first of all think a lot about the refltion o heftion of the maidan. ,ing to remember the rev

what that does is tell russia on the other side of that, where there's not a treaty member, like ukraine, like georgia, russia as a free hand. kirk, thank you. >> my pleasure. >> fens of thousands of people took part around the world today. in turkey, eases stainable clashed with antigovernment protestors. more than 1100 people were killed in that disaster, the protestors dend maaing improved safety standards. may day was marked another way in another u.s. is city today. seattle's mayor says he wanted to raise the city's minimum wage to $15 an hour. and food 90ly after the months after months they came forward. which has irritated some people that have been pushing very hard for reform of minimum wage laws here in the city. but it isn't an increase in the minimum wage. that would take that minimum to $15 an hour, in three years, for big companies that's companies with 500 or more employees in as long as seven years in smaller companies. so it isn't exactly $15 right now, let's get it done. the mayor called it a difficult political compromise and a victory today. but the loudest voice in

ukraine. all attempts of russia to blame the government of ukraine or allegedly ailing to implement their agreementsand we state that despite numerous calls from the internationalist community, the federation is taking no efforts to the escalate the situation and implement the geneva agreement. instead, russia's strongly -- and russia strongly supports extreme groups operating in the eastern regions of new ukraine. endangering civilians, taking hostages, and creating an atmosphere of terror and violence. as well as protection of rights and fundamental freedoms of all feed him of ukraine remain a top priority for the government of ukraine. therefore, the purpose of the counterterrorist operation has been renewed and it is to isolate illegal militants from situations. thecommandment of operation as required heavily armed illegal militants to immediately free are hostages, including osce monitors and to stop violence and massacres. ukrainian authorities are ready to amnesty all those members of militant groups who have not committed serious crimes. including the lyrical dialogue ofh protesters remains