Ukraine Civil War -- News Updates June 10, 2014

Progress Reported On Cease-Fire Talks On Ukraine -- New York Times

DONETSK, Ukraine — The foreign ministers of Russia, Poland and Germany on Tuesday signalled progress toward a cease-fire in Ukraine, even as many as 40 separatists were reportedly killed in a fierce battle for control of an airport in the east of the country.

The talks aimed at a diplomatic resolution to the unrest have achieved some progress in recent days, the ministers said, but no firm agreement. Past efforts to broker a truce, including one by European and American officials, failed because separatists insisted that Russia does not speak for them at the talks.

Exactly who does speak for them is unclear. On Tuesday, the militant wing of a rebel group in the city of Slovyansk, an epicenter of the violence, said it had arrested the city’s “people’s mayor,” Vyacheslav Ponomarev, who had been the public face of the pro-Russian uprising there, a Russian television channel, LifeNews, reported.

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Ukraine Civil War -- News Updates June 10, 2014

After cease-fire talks begin, new fighting in east Ukraine -- AP
Ukraine: Slovyansk under fire as negotiations take place in Kyiv -- Euronews
Civilians take cover, flee Ukrainian city as shells land -- Reuters
Ukraine says repulses separatist mortar attacks -- Reuters
E. Ukraine self-defense forces organize secret training camps (VIDEO) -- RT
Ukraine Families Flee Into the Forest to Escape Brutal Fighting in Sloviansk -- Daily Beast
Russians Find Few Barriers to Joining Ukraine Battle -- NYT
Ukraine, separatists battle to control border with Russia -- Reuters
Poroshenko to Establish Humanitarian Corridor in Special Operation Areas -- RIA Novosti
Ukraine president orders safe corridor for civilians in east -- FOX News/AP
Ukraine Calls for Safe Passage for Civilians -- VOA
Ukraine orders civilian corridors in the east -- Al Jazeera
Ukraine sees 'understanding' with Russia on peace moves -- Reuters
Lavrov Says Dialogue Needed in Ukraine Regardless of Differences -- RIA Novosti
Lavrov Urges Kiev to Stop Military Crackdown, Begin Talks with East Ukraine -- RIA Novosti
Eastern Ukraine Refugees Urge to Stop Violence in Video Plea -- RIA Novosti
#Don’t kill us: Refugees from Eastern Ukraine make a plea for peace (VIDEO) -- RT

My Comment: The pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine are not represented in these "peace talks" .... so what comes out of these discussions is probably moot. Do I see any possibility of this conflict de-escalating .... unfortunately .... for now .... no. The rebels are too disorganized and at the moment are not able to coordinate amongst themselves a unified political front to confront Kyiv .... and to enter into discussions.