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      Pro-Russian Gunmen Seize Buildings in Ukraine, Police Chief Resigns

   A Ukrainian regional police chief announced his resignation Saturday,
   as pro-Russian militants seized more public buildings.
   The police chief in the eastern regional capital, Donetsk, said he was
   stepping down to meet the demands of protesters who were occupying the
   police headquarters.
   A VOA correspondent at the scene said heavily armed gunmen wearing
   uniforms took over the building, in support of pro-Russian
   demonstrators. The gunmen said they would secure the weapons arsenal in
   the building.
   Pro-Russian militants also seized a state security building in
   Slovyansk and occupied a building in Luhansk.
   Ukraine`s foreign minister has urged Russia to stop "provocative"
   actions.
   The Russian government has denied providing support to the militants.
   Kyiv has offered concessions to the protesters and regional leaders,
   after its Friday deadline passed for separatists to vacate the
   buildings.
   Acting Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk said he supported amending
   Ukraine`s constitution and changing laws so regional governors are no
   longer appointed by the central government, and regional referendums
   are permitted. He also promised no one would be allowed to "limit the
   Russian language and the right to speak it in Ukraine."
   NATO says there has been a buildup of Russian military forces along the
   border with Ukraine recently.
   Saturday there were signs of heightened tensions between Moscow and
   Kyiv. Officials at Ukraine`s state-run energy company, Naftogaz, said
   the company was suspending gas payments to Russia.
   Russia announced earlier it was increasing its price for gas to
   Ukraine.
   On Friday, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov said he is ready for
   four-party talks on Ukraine with the U.S., the European Union and Kyiv.
   Lavrov also said Washington should use its influence with Ukraine`s
   government "to prevent the use of force" and encourage dialogue.
   Recent surveys suggest residents of eastern Ukraine overwhelmingly
   oppose any move to join Russia.
   The U.S. is threatening to impose more economic penalties on Moscow if
   Russia does not pull troops back from the border with Ukraine.
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   ukraine-police-chief-resigns/1892130.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/prorussian-gunmen-seize-buildings-in-ukraine-police-chief-resigns/1892130.html