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| Ukraine crisis: Germany launches fresh diplomatic bid | Ukraine crisis: Germany launches fresh diplomatic bid |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Germany's Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier is due in Kiev amid fresh attempts to find a diplomatic solution to the Ukraine crisis. | |
| On Monday, pro-Russia activists in the east declared a separate state which wanted to join Russia after holding votes on self-rule on Sunday. | |
| Earlier, a separatist leader called on Russia to "absorb" the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk. | Earlier, a separatist leader called on Russia to "absorb" the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk. |
| Kiev, the US and EU say the referendums in Donetsk and Luhansk were illegal. | Kiev, the US and EU say the referendums in Donetsk and Luhansk were illegal. |
| Moscow annexed Ukraine's southern autonomous republic of Crimea in March following a controversial referendum, and Kiev fears a similar outcome in Donetsk, Luhansk and parts of southern Ukraine. | Moscow annexed Ukraine's southern autonomous republic of Crimea in March following a controversial referendum, and Kiev fears a similar outcome in Donetsk, Luhansk and parts of southern Ukraine. |
| Russia has called for the results of Sunday's vote to be "implemented". | Russia has called for the results of Sunday's vote to be "implemented". |
| Meanwhile, armed separatists remain in control of many official buildings across eastern Ukraine. | Meanwhile, armed separatists remain in control of many official buildings across eastern Ukraine. |
| Mr Steinmeier, who attended a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels on Monday, reiterated that he considers the referendums illegal, adding: "We cannot, and must not, take it seriously." | Mr Steinmeier, who attended a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels on Monday, reiterated that he considers the referendums illegal, adding: "We cannot, and must not, take it seriously." |
| His spokesman, Martin Schaefer, said Tuesday's trip was to support a national "round table" under the auspices of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation (OSCE). | His spokesman, Martin Schaefer, said Tuesday's trip was to support a national "round table" under the auspices of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation (OSCE). |
| The OSCE later issued a statement saying Russian President Vladimir Putin was "supportive" of its roadmap to defuse the crisis in Ukraine. | The OSCE later issued a statement saying Russian President Vladimir Putin was "supportive" of its roadmap to defuse the crisis in Ukraine. |
| Mr Steinmeier has engaged in months of diplomacy over the crisis while German Chancellor Angela Merkel has held repeated phone calls with President Putin. | Mr Steinmeier has engaged in months of diplomacy over the crisis while German Chancellor Angela Merkel has held repeated phone calls with President Putin. |
| The EU foreign ministers added 13 people and two businesses to its sanctions list for "undermining or threatening" Ukraine's sovereignty. | The EU foreign ministers added 13 people and two businesses to its sanctions list for "undermining or threatening" Ukraine's sovereignty. |
| Those singled out include President Putin's first deputy chief of staff, Vyacheslav Volodin; the self-declared mayor of Sloviansk, Vyacheslav Ponomaryov; and two Crimean companies. | Those singled out include President Putin's first deputy chief of staff, Vyacheslav Volodin; the self-declared mayor of Sloviansk, Vyacheslav Ponomaryov; and two Crimean companies. |
| More than 60 individuals now face EU travel bans and asset freezes. | More than 60 individuals now face EU travel bans and asset freezes. |
| Election pledge | Election pledge |
| Germany, France and the UK also suggested that Russia would be further punished if it undermined Ukraine's planned presidential elections on 25 May. | Germany, France and the UK also suggested that Russia would be further punished if it undermined Ukraine's planned presidential elections on 25 May. |
| A joint statement said the EU would "pay particular attention to all parties' attitude and behaviour towards the holding of free and fair presidential elections when deciding about possible future measures". | A joint statement said the EU would "pay particular attention to all parties' attitude and behaviour towards the holding of free and fair presidential elections when deciding about possible future measures". |
| Separatists in Donetsk and Luhansk say 89% and 96% respectively voted in favour of "self-rule" in the referendums. | Separatists in Donetsk and Luhansk say 89% and 96% respectively voted in favour of "self-rule" in the referendums. |
| Pro-Russia activists in Luhansk declared independence after the referendum there. | Pro-Russia activists in Luhansk declared independence after the referendum there. |
| Self-declared Donetsk People's Republic leader Denis Pushilin urged Moscow to listen to the "will of the people". | Self-declared Donetsk People's Republic leader Denis Pushilin urged Moscow to listen to the "will of the people". |
| He said he was not calling for Russian military intervention, but that "peacekeepers" may be needed. Moscow has not responded to his comments. | He said he was not calling for Russian military intervention, but that "peacekeepers" may be needed. Moscow has not responded to his comments. |
| Nato believes some 40,000 Russian troops are deployed near Ukraine's border, although Moscow says they have been pulled back. | Nato believes some 40,000 Russian troops are deployed near Ukraine's border, although Moscow says they have been pulled back. |