I?III. http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/putin-meet-western-leaders-ukraine-26233712
Putin to Meet With Western Leaders on Ukraine MILAN -- Oct 16, 2014, 11:14 AM ET By VLADIMIR ISACHENKOV and COLLEEN BARRY Associated Press EDS NOTE NUDITY - Inna Shevchenko, left, a member of the Ukrainian feminist protest group FEMEN, and another unidentified activist are about to throw on themselves mock blood as a protest in front of the Duomo gothic cathedral in Milan, Italy,... View Full Caption The Associated Press Russian President Vladimir Putin is mounting a diplomatic blitz on the sidelines of a summit of European and Asian leaders in a bid to escape Russia's worst crisis with the West since the Cold War. Putin on Friday will discuss Ukraine over breakfast with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and key European leaders on the sidelines of the 10th ASEM summit in Milan. He may also meet privately with Poroshenko. The West has imposed a series of economic sanctions against Russia since its annexation of the Crimean Peninsula in March and its support for a pro-Russia insurgency in eastern Ukraine. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she expects to discuss a Ukraine cease-fire deal signed last month, which has reduced hostilities but failed to stop all fighting. "It is above all Russia's task to say clearly that the Minsk plan is really respected," Merkel said as she arrived for the summit. "Unfortunately, there are still very, very big shortcomings. But it is important to seek dialogue here." Merkel will meet Putin later Thursday. Putin, in Belgrade en route to Milan, said he hoped to resolve a gas pricing dispute between Russia and Ukraine during the talks. Much of the Russian gas supplied to the EU passes through pipelines crossing Ukraine, and Putin warned that Russia would cut supplies intended for Europe if Ukraine siphons off gas intended for Europe, as it did in 2008. "Russia always has been a reliable supplier. But there are big transit risks," Putin said. Two members of the feminist group Femen protested Putin's inclusion in the summit, baring their breasts as they demanded an end to bloodshed in Ukraine. The two-day ASEM summit, which aims to forge closer economic and cultural ties and confront common threats, opens against the backdrop of the conflict in Ukraine, student protests in Hong Kong and escalating concerns about the Ebola outbreak. The biannual gathering will also touch on natural disaster response, international crime, terrorism and climate change. -------- Isachenkov reported from Belgrade. ------ Vladimir Isachenkov reported from Belgrade, Serbia. II/III. http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/oct/16/femen-protesters-vladimir-putin-milan-ukraine Femen protesters target Vladimir Putin before his meeting with Ukraine leader Topless demonstrators accuse summit in Milan of 'welcoming a killer' before Russian president's meeting with Petro Poroshenko Lizzy Davies in Milan # The Guardian, Thursday 16 October 2014 11.23 BST Ukrainian Femen protesters prepare to pour buckets of 'blood' on themselves before Vladimir Putin's arrival in Milan. Photograph: Luca Bruno/AP The Ukrainian feminist protest group Femen has staged a two-woman demonstration against Vladimir Putin in Milan, where he is expected to attend a summit of world leaders on Thursday. The protesters stood in front of Milan's cathedral and poured buckets of red wine, which they said represented the blood of Ukrainian people, over their bare chests. The message "Stop ignoring Ukrainian bloodshed" was written on one woman's torso, while the other made direct reference to the two-day summit of more than 50 European and Asian leaders: "ASEM allies of Putin," read the message on Femen leader Inna Shevchenko's chest. "We believe that welcoming a killer, a person who is killing a whole nation right now - and this Ukrainian blood is right here, is on us - and shaking his hand, is ignoring the big torture, the big killing and the war in Ukraine that is started and supported by Putin," she told AFPTV. Although its main purpose is economic, the ASEM summit looks set to be dominated by the security situation in eastern Ukraine, where a fragile ceasefire struck last month has been repeatedly violated. An ongoing dispute over Russian gas supplies to Ukraine is becoming increasingly urgent as winter approaches. Putin and the Ukrainian president, Petro Poroshenko, are scheduled to meet at a breakfast on Friday morning. The Italian prime minister, Matteo Renzi, will also host David Cameron, Angela Merkel, François Hollande and the EU's top officials. It is possible that Putin and Poroshenko may also meet face-to-face in a separate bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the summit. Poroshenko has been quoted as saying the whole world had "high expectations" of his talks with Putin. III. http://www.cnbc.com/id/102078856 Putin: Russia will reduce Europe's gas supplies if Ukraine takes gas CNBC.com staff | @CNBC 3 Hours Ago Reuters Russian President Vladimir Putin Russia's President Vladimir Putin said Russia will have to reduce gas supplies to Europe if Ukraine steals gas. Pipelines that supply Europe crosses Ukraine en route. In June, Moscow halted gas supplies to Ukraine due to mounting debts and pricing disagreements. Disturbance of Russian gas supplies to Europe has happened two times in the past ten years, in 2006 and 2009. A third of Europe's gas comes from Russia. If no agreement is reached between Ukraine and Russia, Ukraine may face energy shortages this winter--further increasing risks to Europe's gas supply. Russian President Vladimir Putin Reuters Russian President Vladimir Putin Russia's President Vladimir Putin said Russia will have to reduce gas supplies to Europe if Ukraine steals gas. Pipelines that supply Europe crosses Ukraine en route. In June, Moscow halted gas supplies to Ukraine due to mounting debts and pricing disagreements. Disturbance of Russian gas supplies to Europe has happened two times in the past ten years, in 2006 and 2009. A third of Europe's gas comes from Russia. If no agreement is reached between Ukraine and Russia, Ukraine may face energy shortages this winter--further increasing risks to Europe's gas supply. --Reuters contributed to this report. -- Peace Is Doable -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Green Youth Movement" group. 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