The Crisis In Ukraine Continues -- News Updates September 18, 2014

Ukraine PM Tells Army To Be On Full Battle Alert Despite Ceasefire -- Reuters

(Reuters) - Ukraine's prime minister told government forces to remain on full battle alert on Wednesday as fighting in the rebel-held eastern city of Donetsk killed at least two civilians and further strained a ceasefire with Russian-backed separatists.

"Russia definitely will not give us either peace or stability. It is not their goal. So I am asking the defense minister for full battle readiness," Arseny Yatseniuk, who is emerging as a policy 'hawk' in President Petro Poroshenko's leadership, told a government meeting.

The pro-Western Poroshenko, who will be looking for U.S. support for his strategy in handling the separatist rebellions and Russia when he addresses the U.S. Congress on Thursday, called the ceasefire on Sept. 5 after heavy battlefield losses which Kiev ascribes to Russian military intervention on behalf of the rebels.

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The Crisis In Ukraine Continues -- News Updates September 18, 2014

Fighting in Donetsk as eastern Ukraine granted more autonomy -- Deutsche Welle
E. Ukraine casualties rise as rebels spurn deal -- AP
Ukraine rebels say ceasefire has broken down -- The Telegraph
Russian Military Denies Presense of 4 Army Battalions in East Ukraine -- RIA Novosti
Ruins and Rising in Luhansk -- Foreign Policy

Security Council estimates damage from Ukraine war at more than $2 bln -- ITAR-TASS
Poroshenko’s Aide: East Ukraine Operation Costs Kiev $5 Bln. -- RIA Novosti

Ukraine crisis: Rebels granted self-rule and amnesty -- BBC
Ukraine Parliament Grants Self-Rule to Eastern Regions -- VOA
Ukraine approves special status for rebel-held east -- Deutsche Welle

Russia Praises Ukraine's Autonomy Law for Rebel Areas -- WSJ
Russia Sees Positive Step in Law for Eastern Ukraine -- Bloomberg
Russia applauds Ukraine's autonomy law as two die in Donetsk -- Deutsche Welle

Ukraine PM against Donetsk and Luhansk republics' legalisation -- ITAR-TASS
Yatsenyuk: Donetsk, Luhansk people's republics not to be legalised or funded from budget -- ITAR-TASS

MEPs asking EU countries to strengthen OSCE observer mission in Ukraine -- ITAR Tass
Ceasefire means little in suffering Donetsk -- Euronews
Ukraine crisis: Luhansk residents picking up the pieces -- BBC

Russia, West delay key element of EU-Ukraine trade deal -- Deutsche Welle
Ratification of landmark EU deal brings Ukraine closer to West -- CNN
Donetsk, Luhansk People’s Republics Discuss Russian Gas Deliveries: DPR -- RIA Novosti

Ukraine crisis: One million civil servants to be screened -- BBC
Ukraine To Screen One Million Civil Servants For Loyalty -- Huffington Post/Reuters

Ukraine crisis: President Poroshenko in key US visit -- BBC
Ukrainian President Poroshenko will visit White House, Congress to seek more aid -- Washington Post
Under Pressure, Ukraine Leader to Seek Aid on U.S. Visit -- NYT
Ukraine President Poroshenko to deliver House address in Canada -- CBC
Ukrainian President Poroshenko thanks Canada for its support
-- Toronto Star

Why is Ukraine at war? -- Laurence Peter BBC News
Grim Luhansk wary of Ukraine's shaky truce -- Paul Adams BBC
Ukraine needs money not arms -- Eugene Rumer, Financial Times