Russian-backed rebels announced on Wednesday (1 March) the takeover of 40 factories and mines in eastern Ukraine. In a move the country’s president Petro Poroshenko called a sign of Russia’s “occupation”, he urged Western sanctions against those taking part in the seizure. The rebels’ action comes after a week-long blockade of the east by Ukrainian nationalists. Poroshenko spoke out against the blockade, but took no action to end it. …read more
Source: EUobserver
