Ukraine’s east is slipping out of the government’s grasp as separatists expand their takeovers of official buildings and the U.S. and its allies warn of additional sanctions if Russia doesn’t ease tensions. Armed men attacked a police point near the city of Donetsk May 1, local media reported, while rebels in nearby Sloviansk said they’d begun talks to swap international monitors abducted last week, the Interfax news service said. The U.S. and Europe accuse Russia of stoking the turmoil in Ukraine, which April 30 won International Monetary Fund approval for a $17 billion loan.
Bloomberg: East Ukraine unravels as pro-Russia militants widen fight
An elderly pro-Russia supporter gestures and argues with man wearing a Ukrainian flag during a rally for Ukrainian national unity in the eastern Ukrainan city of Donetsk on April 28.
