Russia

Ukrainian lawmakers applaud a televised address by the President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz (on screen) in the Ukrainian parliament on Tuesday in Kiev. The parliament voted to strengthen trade ties with the EU, but not until 2016.

World News

Ukraine Approves EU Pact And Temporary Self-Rule For Rebels

5:23pm September 16, 2014

by Scott Neuman

The parliament voted to strengthen economic ties with the EU beginning in 2016. It also approved a deal to allow self-rule in some separatist-held areas, a move likely to be rejected by the rebels.

A Ukrainian army helicopter flies over troop positions Friday in Debaltsevo, in the Donetsk region of Ukraine.

World News

Renewed Fighting Threatens Truce In Eastern Ukraine

11:17am September 15, 2014

by Scott Neuman

Pro-Russia separatists who control the city of Donetsk appear to have launched a push to take the city's airport, which is still defended by Kiev's forces.

Pro-Russian militants take a break at a checkpoint close to where shelling continued Sunday between pro-Russian forces and the Ukrainian army in the village of Olenivka, some 30 kms south of Donetsk on the way to Mariupol, eastern Ukraine.

World News

Shelling In Donetsk Rocks Cease-Fire In Ukraine

8:03pm September 14, 2014

by Bill Chappell

The cease-fire in eastern Ukraine is being tested, with intense fighting reported near the airport in Donetsk Saturday and Sunday. An NPR team in that city was forced to flee the shelling.

World News

Estonia 'Spy' Dispute Could Be Russia Making Anti-NATO Mischief

7:59pm September 14, 2014

by Corey Flintoff

It could be the next big spy movie: an Estonian intelligence agent nabbed by Russia on spy charges. Russia says he was spying on them; Estonia says he was kidnapped in a cross-border raid.

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A convoy of Russian trucks crosses the Ukrainian border at the Donetsk-Izvarino custom control checkpoint as Ukrainian refugees look on, Saturday. Russia says the trucks are carrying aid; Ukrainian officials say they don't know what's inside.

World News

Ukraine: Peace Disrupted By Barrage; Russia Sends New Aid Convoy

9:39am September 13, 2014

by Bill Chappell

Rocket fire tested — but didn't break — a week-old cease-fire between Ukraine and pro-Russian separatists Friday night. And the EU made concessions to Russia on a trade pact.

World News

Ukraine, Rebels Swap Prisoners As Part Of Cease-Fire Deal

2:09pm September 12, 2014

by Scott Neuman

The late-night prisoner exchange, involving dozens of captives on both sides, comes as the European Union has stepped up sanctions on Moscow for its involvement in the conflict.

Russian President Vladimir Putin leaves the Life-giving Trinity church in Moscow, on Wednesday. Putin accused NATO of using the Ukraine crisis to "resuscitate itself."

Putin: Russia To Upgrade Nuclear Forces In Response To West

1:52pm September 10, 2014

by Scott Neuman

The Russian president also accused the West of staging the crisis in Ukraine in order to "resuscitate" the NATO alliance.

Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko, left, meets with government troops in the embattled town of Mariupol the country's restive Donetsk Region.

World News

Ukrainian President Offers Limited Autonomy For Rebellious Region

8:12am September 10, 2014

by Scott Neuman

Petro Poroshenko is offering a bill to grant special status to parts of the country's restive east, but he reiterates that there will be no concession on sovereignty.

People holding Ukrainian and Crimean Tatar flags demonstrate in front of the French-built Vladivostok warship in St. Nazaire, western France, on June 1. The protesters are opposed to the sale of the Vladivostok and Sevastopol warships to Russia.

World News

France Presses On With Deal To Sell Two Warships To Russia

7:31pm July 29, 2014

by Eleanor Beardsley

Amid ongoing fighting in Ukraine and stepped-up U.S. and EU sanctions on Russia, the deal has met with little criticism in the shipbuilding town of St. Nazaire, where it has created 2,500 jobs.

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A woman casts her ballot at a polling station on May 11 in Hartsizk, Ukraine. Pro-Russian separatists are claiming independence after the referendum in cities across eastern Ukraine.

World News

After Referendum In Eastern Ukraine, Different Visions Emerge

7:59pm May 14, 2014

by Corey Flintoff

Residents of eastern Ukraine are trying to figure out what happens next, now that pro-Russian separatists have claimed independence. But there's even disagreement over what's feasible.

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