LATEST -- EU agrees to put new sanctions on Ukrainian separatists:
European Union foreign ministers meeting in Brussels on November 17 agreed on the need to impose more sanctions on pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine.
The EU foreign ministers asked for proposals to place more Ukrainian separatists on the sanctions list by the end of this month.
The move is intended to show the EU's rejection of the November 2 elections organized by pro-Russian separatists in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of eastern Ukraine.
The sanctions are expected to include freezing assets and imposing travel bans.
The ministers did not take any further actions against Russia, which is seen as providing substantial aid to the separatists in eastern Ukraine.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin was in Brussels on a visit and called for the EU to send a "clear message to Moscow that further destabilization in Ukraine will trigger further steps by the EU." (AFP and Reuters)
Here's today's map of the military situation in eastern Ukraine, according to Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council:
Delivering a policy speech at the Lowy Institute for International Policy in Sidney, Australia on November 17, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said:
"Russia violates territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine as a state and it treats a neighboring state as its sphere of influence. After the horror of two world wars and the end of the Cold War, this called the whole of the European peaceful order into question, and this situation is continued by Russia that is exerting its influence to destabilize eastern Ukraine in Donetsk and Luhansk."
"First -- we support Ukraine both politically and economically. Secondly, we shall spare no effort to promote a diplomatic solution to the conflict in talks with Russia. And third, we will continue imposing economic sanctions against Russia to the extent that is necessary and for as long as they are needed."
Human Rights Watch has released a report detailing the worsening rights situation in Crimea since it was occupied by Russian forces:
Russian and local authorities have severely curtailed human rights protections in Crimea sinceRussia began its occupation of the peninsula in February 2014. The report, based on recent, on-the-ground research in Crimea, describes the human rights consequences of the extension of Russian law and policy to Crimea since the occupation. Russia has violated multiple obligations it has as an occupying power under international humanitarian law – in particular in relation to the protection of civilians’ rights, Human Rights Watch found.
Fighting in eastern Ukraine continues to take a toll:
Security officials in Kyiv say six Ukrainian soldiers and three police officers have been killed in eastern Ukraine in the past 24 hours.
The officials said on November 17 that the three police officers were killed when they were shelled while out on patrol near Makarove in the Luhansk region. Five other police officers were wounded in the attack.
The soldiers were killed in separate incidents in the Donbas region, the officials said, adding that 23 rebels were also killed and 27 others wounded overnight.
The latest casualty reports came as European Union foreign ministers were set to discuss the conflict in Ukraine in Brussels later on November 17.
In an interview published on November 17, President Petro Poroshenko said Ukraine was "prepared for total war," as fighting between Ukrainian forces and pro-Russian separatists continues despite a September 5 cease-fire. (AFP and UNIAN)
Russia's relations with EU member states continue to sour, our news desk reports:
Russia says it has expelled several Polish diplomats in response to recent expulsions of Russian diplomats by Warsaw.
In a statement on November 17, Russia's Foreign Ministry accused the Polish diplomats of activities inconsistent with their status, a phrase generally used for spying.
The ministry confirmed reports that Warsaw had expelled several Russian diplomats, citing the same accusation.
"The Polish authorities indeed took such an unfriendly and absolutely groundless step," the statement said.
"In connection with that, Russia has undertaken adequate measures in response and a number of Polish diplomats have already left the territory of our country for activities incompatible with their status," it added.
Polish Foreign Minister Grzegorz Schetyna was quoted as saying on November 17 that Warsaw considered Moscow's move a "symmetric response."
Relations between Moscow and European Union member states have been strained by the crisis in Ukraine and by EU sanctions imposed after Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine. (Reuters, Interfax, and AFP)
That concludes our live blogging for Sunday, November 16.