VIDEO REPORTS
Dutch To Vote On Ukraine's Euro Dream
The Netherlands is holding a referendum on April 6 on whether Ukraine's Association Agreement with the European Union should be ratified. The nonbinding vote taps into broader Dutch sentiment about membership in the bloc.
What’s Behind The Dutch Ballot
RFE/RL polled Dutch politicians and writers about their views ahead of today’s referendum on ratifying Ukraine’s Association Agreement with the EU. A “yes” vote would encourage free trade, security and cooperation with Ukraine, while a "no" vote could strike a blow against further EU expansion.
A Cello Sonata For Offshore Companies
The leaked financial documents referred to as the Panama Papers claim to have exposed the fortunes held in offshore accounts by a number of high-profile Russian figures, including Sergei Roldugin, a famous cellist and close friend of President Vladimir Putin.
Ukrainians React To Poroshenko Disclosures
Kyiv residents responding to an informal street poll overwhelmingly said that President Petro Poroshenko owes the public an explanation about revelations that he owns an offshore company, with some suggesting he resign. (Ukrainian Service)
Kharkiv Activists Demand Judicial Reform
Several hundred activists protested in front of the prosecutor's office in Kharkiv on April 4 demanding the resignation of the local prosecutor and reform of the Prosecutor-General’s office. (Ukrainian Service)
NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
Cease-Fire In Nagorno-Karabakh Holding
Spokespersons for Azerbaijan and Armenia-backed separatists in its breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh said a cease-fire agreed on April 5 largely held overnight.
Explainer: Why The Nagorno-Karabakh Crisis Matters
New fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh highlights the role of the Caucasus in the global energy trade and the potential fallout from full-scale hostilities between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
Protesters Detained After Calling For Putin Impeachment
Two members of the Progress Party were detained by Moscow police near the Duma while they held signs demanding that Russian President Vladimir Putin be impeached because of disclosures published in the Panama Papers. A passerby with a camera was also detained. (In Russian/Current Time TV)
Poroshenko Expected To Weather Panama Papers Revelations
Ukrainian analysts expect that the disclosures of President Poroshenko’s offshore company will engender public criticism and division within his party, but will have little impact on negotiations to form a parliamentary coalition. (In Ukrainian)
Tymoshenko Party Shifts To Democratic Opposition
Yulia Tymoshenko’s Fatherland party, calling negotiations to form a new parliamentary coalition “hopeless,” has withdrawn to form a “democratic, pro-European opposition.” (In Ukrainian)
Kremlin Trolls Linked To Menacing Video In Netherlands
The investigative group Bellingcat reports that a Russian troll factory is behind a video warning of “things ending badly” for the Dutch if they vote against Ukraine in today’s referendum. The video is intended to discredit Ukraine by suggesting that Ukraine is threatening instability in the event of a “no” vote. (In Russian)
Crimea Should Not Become Kosovo
Prominent Russian TV host and commentator Viktor Shenderovich told RFE/RL that Russia’s annexation of Crimea was a tactical victory for President Putin that helped his domestic ratings, but is a long-term strategic loss whose impact is already felt, despite the Kremlin’s best efforts at propaganda. (In Russian)
Hague Tribunal Halts Trial of Ill Croatian Serb Leader
United Nations judges ordered an “indefinite" halt in the war-crimes trial of Croatian Serb rebel leader Goran Hadzic, who is terminally ill with brain cancer, finding him unfit to stand trial.