This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-27573622

The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Ukraine crisis: Flights halted at Donetsk airport Ukraine crisis: Russia 'open to dialogue' with new leader
(35 minutes later)
Flights have been suspended at the airport in the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk following an intervention by armed separatists, officials said. Russia says it is "open to dialogue" with the new president of Ukraine, as initial results suggested Petro Poroshenko would win its election.
Several dozen men had arrived in the early hours and demanded Ukrainian troops withdraw from the airport, they said. However, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said military action must end against separatists in the east.
The incident came as Ukraine awaited results from its presidential election. Mr Poroshenko said he would meet Russian leaders soon but vowed to take a tough line on any armed separatists.
Confectionery magnate Petro Poroshenko looks set to win without a run-off and has vowed to "bring peace". Unrest continues in the east, with pro-Russia militiamen halting flights at Donetsk airport.
Russia on Monday said it was open to dialogue with the new president. 'No Somalia'
Flights were temporarily suspended at Sergei Prokofiev airport after the separatists, reported to be members of the self-declared Donetsk People's Republic, demanded Ukrainian troops guarding the inner perimeter of the airport be removed. Mr Lavrov told a press conference in Moscow: "We are ready for dialogue with Kiev's representatives, with Petro Poroshenko."
Officials said there had been "shots and confrontation". Mr Lavrov said EU and US mediation were not needed, but warned Kiev that continuing military operations against the separatists would be a "colossal mistake".
The head of Donetsk airport's press service, Dmitry Kosinov, said: "On the territory of the airport there are armed people, this is ample reason to halt our work on security grounds." He said: "As our president [Vladimir Putin] has said, we shall treat the results of the expression of will of the Ukrainian people with respect."
Ukrainian TV is also reporting clashes in the villages of Semenivka and Andriyivka near the separatist stronghold of Sloviansk. But Mr Lavrov said Kiev must also treat its people with respect and that dialogue with the east was necessary to resolve the crisis.
Poll disruption Mr Poroshenko said he hoped to meet Russian leaders early next month, after a trip to Poland where he will meet the US president and EU leaders.
Mr Poroshenko, 48, has already claimed victory in the election based on exit polls. However, he warned he would take a tough line on armed militiamen.
He currently has 53.86% of the vote, with just over half of the ballots counted. Former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko is a distant second on 13.1%. He said: "Their goal is to turn Donbass [east Ukraine] into Somalia. I will not let anyone do this to our state and I hope that Russia will support my approach."
Final results are expected on Monday. Mr Poroshenko also indicated he would keep current Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk, saying: "There are no plans to change the government leadership."
Mr Poroshenko, 48, currently has 53.86% of the vote, with just over half of the ballots counted, and would not need a run-off. Former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko is a distant second on 13.1%.
Initial results are expected on Monday.
The election came three months after pro-Moscow President Viktor Yanukovych fled Kiev amid bloody street protests and calls for closer ties with the EU.The election came three months after pro-Moscow President Viktor Yanukovych fled Kiev amid bloody street protests and calls for closer ties with the EU.
Since then, Russia has annexed the Crimean peninsula in southern Ukraine and armed separatists in the eastern Donbass provinces of Luhansk and Donetsk have declared independence from Kiev. Since then, Russia has annexed the Crimean peninsula in southern Ukraine and armed separatists in the eastern provinces of Luhansk and Donetsk have declared independence.
Ukraine's interim government is engaged in an offensive in the east to quash the uprising that has left scores dead.Ukraine's interim government is engaged in an offensive in the east to quash the uprising that has left scores dead.
Pro-Russian separatists severely disrupted voting there. No polling stations were open in Donetsk city, and across the region only seven out of 12 district electoral commissions were operating.Pro-Russian separatists severely disrupted voting there. No polling stations were open in Donetsk city, and across the region only seven out of 12 district electoral commissions were operating.
However, the central elections commission said about 60% of Ukraine's 35.5 million eligible voters had turned out.However, the central elections commission said about 60% of Ukraine's 35.5 million eligible voters had turned out.
Mr Poroshenko vowed to "put an end to war, chaos, crime, and bring peace to the Ukrainian land". Unrest continued on Monday.
He also promised a dialogue with the people of eastern Ukraine. Flights were temporarily suspended at Sergei Prokofiev airport in Donetsk after several dozen separatists from the self-declared Donetsk People's Republic demanded Ukrainian troops guarding the inner perimeter be removed.
"For those people who don't take [up] weapons, we are always ready for negotiations to guarantee them security, to guarantee their rights, including speaking the language they want," he said. Officials said there had been "shots and confrontation".
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Monday that Moscow was ready for talks with Mr Poroshenko if his election were confirmed. The head of Donetsk airport's press service, Dmitry Kosinov, said: "On the territory of the airport there are armed people, this is ample reason to halt our work on security grounds."
Mr Lavrov also said that dialogue between Kiev and the east was necessary to resolve the crisis, and that the new Ukrainian president must prevent extremist views from prevailing. Ukrainian TV is also reporting clashes in the villages of Semenivka and Andriyivka near the separatist stronghold of Sloviansk.
Are you in Donetsk? Have you been affected by the suspension of flights? What is your reaction to Petro Poroshenko's apparent victory? What next for the country? If you are happy to speak to the BBC you can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk, using the subject line 'Donetsk'.Are you in Donetsk? Have you been affected by the suspension of flights? What is your reaction to Petro Poroshenko's apparent victory? What next for the country? If you are happy to speak to the BBC you can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk, using the subject line 'Donetsk'.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
Read the terms and conditionsRead the terms and conditions