Putin Wants Postponement of Referendum in Eastern Ukraine

World Today

Russian president Vladimir Putin said postponing a referendum in eastern Ukraine would create conditions for dialogue in the country. He made his comments following talks with Didier Burkhalter, the Swiss president and current chairman of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.Putin also called on Ukraine’s military to halt all operations against pro-Russia activists who have seized government buildings and police stations across at least a dozen towns in eastern Ukraine.

“We believe that the most important thing is to create direct, full-fledged dialogue between the Kiev authorities and representatives of southeast Ukraine,” Putin said. “Because of this, we ask that representatives of southeast Ukraine, supporters of federalization in the country postpone the May 11 referendum.”

Pro-Russian militants in eastern Ukraine have seized government buildings and police stations in more than a dozen towns since the country’s Russia-leaning president fled power in February. CCTV’s Anya Ardayeva reports from Moscow with more.

Putin Wants Postponement of Referendum in Eastern Ukrain

Russian president Vladimir Putin said postponing a referendum in eastern Ukraine would create conditions for dialogue in the country. He made his comments following talks with Didier Burkhalter, the Swiss president and current chairman of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. CCTV's Anya Ardayeva reports with more,

Inside Ukraine itself, the push and shove between Ukrainian troops and the protesters continues to bring confusion. No one seems to know who has control and where. CCTV’s Kate Parkinson has some examples of an uncertain life in the region.

Follow Kate Parkinson on Twitter: @katecctvnews

Confusion on Regional Control Continues in Ukraine

Inside Ukraine itself, the push and shove between Ukrainian troops and the protesters continues to bring confusion. No one seems to know who has control and where. CCTV's Kate Parkinson has some examples of an uncertain life in the region.

 

While Putin says he is pulling the troops back from the border with Ukraine,  NATO and U.S. officials say they have seen no sign of movement. CCTV’s Mike Walter interviews Anthony Salvia, a former director of the Moscow bureau of Radio Free Europe, to discuss the ongoing crisis in Ukraine and the war of words between Russia and the West.

Anthony Salvia on Putin's Pulling Troops Back

While Putin says he's pulling the troops back from the border with Ukraine. NATO and U.S. officials say they've seen NO sign of movement. We're joined by Anthony Salvia from New York. He's a former director of the Moscow bureau of Radio Free Europe. He's spent years studying the politics of Eastern Europe.

Some leaders in Eastern Ukraine are debating Putin’s request to postpone Sunday’s referendum. But in the eastern City of Slavyansk people are bracing for further clashes between Ukrainian troops and opposition militias. CCTV’s Kate Parkinson reports.

Ukraine Troops Surround Slavyansk Rebel Stronghold

Some leaders in Eastern Ukraine are debating Putin's request to postpone Sunday's referendum. But in the eastern City of Slavyansk people are bracing for further clashes between Ukrainian troops and opposition militias. CCTV's Kate Parkinson Reports.