Sunday, August 24, 2014

Ukraine conflict: Army parade to mark independence



August 23 (BBC News Ukraine) Sunday's celebrations mark the 23rd anniversary of Ukraine's independence after the Soviet Union collapsed. Ukraine is to mark its independence day with a military parade in Kiev as fighting continues in the east. The parade will feature hundreds of marching servicemen and military hardware. Critics say that it is inappropriate when Ukraine is at war. Pro-Russian rebels in the eastern city of Donetsk - the scene of the heaviest fighting - say they will hold their own parade featuring imprisoned soldiers. Four months of fighting in the east has left more than 2,000 people dead. More than 330,000 people have fled their homes.

Sunday's celebrations mark the 23rd anniversary of Ukraine's independence after the Soviet Union collapsed


A prayer will be said and wreaths laid for those who have died for an independent Ukraine, including those killed during protests against Mr Yanukovych in Kiev last winter. Supporters say the parade should boost army morale but critics have questioned any show of strength as a waste of money and inappropriate when people are dying in the east. In Donetsk, rebels put on display two destroyed armoured personnel carriers, and there are plans to parade prisoners of war through the streets.
 The military parades were rehearsed on Saturday



Sunday's celebrations come a day after the German chancellor, Angela Merkel visited Kiev and met President Petro Poroshenko. During crisis talks with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, she also called for "effective border controls" while reiterating her support for Ukraine's pro-Western leaders. The "territorial integrity and wellbeing of Ukraine" was essential, Mrs Merkel said. She cautioned that Russia - already subjected to punishing EU and US sanctions over its alleged interference in Ukraine - could face further punitive measures. "We cannot rule out thinking about further sanctions if things do not progress," Mrs Merkel told reporters. Mrs Merkel - who on Saturday announced a 500m-euro (£400m) loan to Ukraine from Germany - is the most influential. 
 Sunday's celebrations come a day after the German chancellor, Angela Merkel visited Kiev and met President Petro Poroshenko


Russia has been accused by Nato of amassing troops and tanks near its border with Ukraine


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