Germans Pursue Diplomacy with Ukraine

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Russia’s threats failed to deter Germany’s Foreign Minister from pursuing a fresh diplomatic push in Ukraine. He traveled to Kiev to broker a dialogue between Ukraine’s central government and anti-government separatists.
CCTV’s Roee Ruttenberg reports from the Ukrainian capital.

This comes just one day after opposition groups in two of the country’s Eastern regions announced they’d like to join Russia.

Frank-Walter Steinmeier arrived in Kiev early on Tuesday morning and met Ukraine’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister first thing at the airport. They were on their way to Brussels

The German Foreign Minister was on his way to Odessa in Ukraine’s south. Germany has been playing a key role in efforts to defuse tension here. And Steinmeier wants the momentum increased before a key nationwide vote in less than two weeks time.

For his part, the Ukrainian Prime Minister said he remained open to a national dialogue. And that he welcomed the involvement of key foreign players.

Meanwhile officials here announced plans for a “roundtable” to be held at Parliament on Wednesday. It’s slated to include the prime minister, various heads of regional government and representatives, at least two former Ukrainian presidents, the current candidates for president, and MPs from the different parties.

But just hours before the announcement, the acting president Oleksandr Turchynov said he”ll try to ban Ukraine’s Communist Party. He’s accused them of having backed Eastern separatists.

Follow Roee Ruttenberg on Twitter @RoeeRuttenberg

Germans Pursue Diplomacy with Ukraine

Russia's threats failed to deter Germany's Foreign Minister from pursuing a fresh diplomatic push in Ukraine. He traveled to Kiev to broker a dialogue between Ukraine's central government and anti-government separatists.

With the Ukraine crisis worsening, the European Union and the United States say they are planning new sanctions against Russia. The U.S. has indicated it may be ready to target whole “sectors” of the Russian economy, that could hit some European countries hard. Case in point, France, which has a multi-billion dollar order for two naval ships from Russia in the balance.

French Foreign minister Laurent Fabius is in Washington for talks. CCTV’s Nathan King has more on this.

France Refuses to Cancel Sale of Naval Ships to Russia

With the Ukraine crisis worsening, the European Union and the United States say they are planning new sanctions against Russia. The U.S. has indicated it may be ready to target whole "sectors" of the Russian economy, that could hit some European countries hard. Case in point, France, which has a multi-billion dollar order for two naval ships from Russia in the balance. French Foreign minister Laurent Fabius is in Washington for talks. CCTV's Nathan King has more on this.