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              Poroshenko Orders Ukraine Flag Raised Over Slovyansk

   by VOA News

   Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has ordered troops to raise the
   country's national flag over the city of Slovyansk in eastern Ukraine,
   after reports the army retook the area Friday.

   The president's website said Saturday the pro-Russian separatist
   stronghold seized in April is now in the hands of government troops
   after rebels fled following intense clashes.  The reports have not been
   confirmed.

   Meanwhile, there is still no reply from Russia or separatist leaders in
   Ukraine to Poroshenko's request for a new round of talks Saturday.

   The Ukrainian president said he suggested a time and place for the
   talks during a phone call with European Union foreign policy chief
   Catherine Ashton. He said he is waiting for the other side to confirm.

   The EU and United States have threatened Russia with more sanctions if
   Moscow and the pro-Russian fighters in eastern Ukraine do not take
   steps to de-escalate the crisis.

   The fighting has picked up since Ukraine ended a unilateral cease-fire
   earlier in the week.

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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/proshenko-orders-ukraine-flag-raised-
   over-slovyansk/1951398.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/proshenko-orders-ukraine-flag-raised-over-slovyansk/1951398.html