European leaders are desperately pushing a new peace bid for Ukraine as the country slipped towards what its interim president warned on Monday was already a “war” in the face of spreading violence.
Oleksandr Turchynov told television that roadblocks had been set up around the capital over fears of “provocative” action by covert Russian operatives on May 9, when Ukraine celebrates victory in World War II. “War is in effect being waged against us, and we must be ready to repel this aggression,” said Turchynov, who has placed Ukraine’s armed forces.