Poroshenko has said he will commit to discussions with those in Eastern Ukraine, but will be tough on those using violence and separatism by force. He announced at a press conference that Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk will keep his position, and that the priority of Ukraine’s foreign policy will be European integration, whereas that of domestic policy will be the fight against corruption, establishing an independent judiciary, solving the “Crimean question”.
Early this morning, separatists stormed the Sergei Prokofiev Donetsk airport , sparking a swift air and land assault by the Ukrainian military. Many deaths were reported, including over 30 pro-Russian armed separatists. Russia has called for an immediate end to military action, and has said that it will engage in talks with Poroshenko's government, however they are not planning for him to visit.
In other diplomatic news, the OSCE (Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe) has said that four of its monitors, in a mission east of Donetsk, were stopped at a checkpoint and are now missing. These monitors are all male, and are Turkish, Swiss, Estonian and Danish.
Meanwhile in Crimea, it is becoming obvious that Russia has been unable to “feed” the peninsula. Contrary to an initial banning of Ukrainian goods, since May 22nd, Moscow has decided to temporarily return Ukrainian goods to the shelves. The Federal Service postponed the ban on import of any Ukrainian produce to the territory of the peninsula, including Ukrainian dairy, until July 1st. However, the prices of goods have increased exponentially, as empty shelves in shops and supermarkets become more common. Bread has become 50% more expensive, and prices for milk, meat and buckwheat have almost doubled in price.
Two months have passed since the moment when the Crimea was annexed. And while some Crimeans are realising that the future will not be bright, there are still those who are ready to live with an empty wallet and fridge, but also to 'die in Russia'. 'We are waiting for Chinese chocolate and cocoa', reads a headline from FaceNews Ukraine.
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