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Anti-Russian sanctions

EU Council refuses to recognize referendum in Ukraine and expands sanctions vs. Russia

The council has also called for a thorough investigation of the tragic events in Odessa on May 2

Press birefing at the end of the European Foreign affairs council meeting at the EU headquarters in Brussels EPA/OLIVIER HOSLET

Press birefing at the end of the European Foreign affairs council meeting at the EU headquarters in Brussels

© EPA/OLIVIER HOSLET

BRUSSELS, May 12. /ITAR-TASS/. The EU Council has refused to recognize the referendum in south-eastern Ukraine and expanded sanctions against Russia, reads a final statement on Ukraine issued by the Council of the European Union after the meeting of 28 ministers of foreign affairs representing the 28 member states on Monday.

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What happened in Odessa

Riots in Odessa started May 2 in the afternoon, when football fans from Kharkiv, as well as Right Sector activists and representatives of the so-called Maidan self-defense forces from Kiev staged a march on the city’s streets.

In the course of this action, clashes with Ukraine’s federalization supporters began. The radicals set on fire the regional House of trade unions and the tent camp on the Kulikovo Field square, where signatures were being collected for holding a referendum on Ukraine’s federalization and the status of Russian language.

According to official data, 46 people died and 48 people are reported missing. Many Ukrainian politicians, including lawmaker Oleh Tsariov and member of Odessa Regional Council Vadim Savenko, believe these figures are understated. They claim that there are about 116 casualties, and the authorities are keeping it back and trying to cover tracks of the tragedy.

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Sanctions vs. Russia Ukraine EU

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