Officials: EU to add 13 people to Ukraine list
Brussels: European Union Foreign Ministers have added 13 people to its visa ban and asset freeze list over Ukraine but are not expected to take tougher measures before the May 25 elections in the east European nation, officials said on Monday. Beyond the 13 people, two enterprises were also added to the list by the 28 EU Ministers, according to two officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because the measure had yet to be officially announced.
Kremlin seeks talks for Ukraine, not annexation
Donetsk: The Kremlin made it clear on Monday that Moscow has no intention of immediately annexing two regions in eastern Ukraine after a weekend referendum there showed most voters allegedly backing sovereignty. Ukraine’s Central Government and the West strongly criticised Sunday’s hastily arranged, unofficial ballot in the Donetsk and luhansk regions — which together have 6.5 million people — as a sham and a violation of international law.
Russia warns to cut off Ukraine gas from June 3
Moscow: Russia’s state gas giant Gazprom warned on Monday it may halt shipments to Ukraine on June 3 in a repeat of previous energy wars that hit Europe. Gazprom chief executive Alexei Miller said Russia’s crisis-torn neighbour must pay upfront for its June deliveries because of debts totalling US $3.51 billion (2.55 billion euros).