For the past two decades, the Chinese Communist Party has been killing prisoners of conscience for their organs. The main victims are practitioners of the spiritual discipline Falun Gong and China’s Uyghur population. Some have called this large-scale transplant abuse a genocide. One of the foremost experts on this topic, David Matas, gave NTD an update […]

On the eve of Ukraine’s independence day, Boris Johnson said Russia must not be allowed to annex more Ukrainian territory and must pull its troops out of the entirety of the country. He also reassured the Ukrainian administration that the UK’s support will continue when he steps down in September.  

Heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk and challenger Anthony Joshua are going to have a highly anticipated rematch in Saudi Arabia. However, the rematch has drawn some criticism from human rights experts.

Statistics show people who died from COVID-19 have on average more than four conditions on their death certificates. These include diseases of the respiratory system, circulatory system, and pneumonia. Experts say headline death figures do not represent the actual number of COVID deaths.  

A drought has been declared for southern, central, and eastern England following the driest summer for 50 years. The Environment Agency has reassured the public that essential water supplies are safe.  

Police Scotland said a 39-year-old man has been charged following incidents in Skye and Wester Ross on Wednesday, some involving a firearm. A 47-year-old man died and three others were injured. A 32-year-old woman and a 63-year-old man are both in serious condition. The shootings have sent shockwaves through the island community.

The UK government will hold crisis talks with gas and electricity executives. It’s reported the ministers will hold the energy bosses to account for what they’re going to do with the huge profits they have made out of the energy crisis. Household energy debts have reached an all-time high, and 6 million homes owe an average of […]

A nationwide project is underway to replenish the UK’s native oyster populations. The Wild Oysters Project has introduced more than 140 oyster nurseries and found over 27,000 marine animals living among suspended oyster homes. Oysters can filter sea waters and have a huge ecological value.

Human rights group Amnesty International has accused Ukraine of endangering civilians by basing troops in schools, residential buildings, and other populated places during Russia’s invasion. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy denounced the allegations, accusing the group of abetting what he called Russia’s unprovoked attacks.

A Commons report says health and social care services in England are facing “the greatest workforce crisis in their history” and would need about 1 million more staff in the next ten years, but the government has no credible strategy to make the situation better. It says this persistent understaffing poses a serious risk to […]

A deal has been signed to allow Kyiv to resume its grain exports through the Black Sea. The United Nations hopes the deal will allow millions of tonnes of grain exports to relieve the risk of hunger in some parts of the world. Turkey will place the role of an inspector while Russian grain and […]

After the warmest night on record on Monday, Britain has for the first time seen mercury pass 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit), breaking the previous record by more than one degree. Record-breaking temperature brings about fires and drought. But for some parts of the country, showers are on the way.

As a heat wave is scorching the European continent and temperatures are reaching 40 degrees Celsius in some places, people find ways to cool down. In Germany, people are water jousting, while Spaniards are having a water fight. Here’s NTD’s Eddie Aitken with more.

Spain reported a second fatality in two days as it continues to battle wildfires. The body of a 69-year-old sheep farmer was found on Monday in the same area where a 62-year-old firefighter died a day earlier. More than 30 forest fires around Spain have forced the evacuation of thousands of people and blackened 85 square miles […]

A recent study said alcohol advice should vary according to age and gender. It suggests that young people should not drink, but older people may benefit from small amounts.

French senators said the chaos outside the national stadium that marred the Champions League football final was due to a series of mistakes by police and officials—and not the actions of previously blamed Liverpool fans. They pointed to “malfunction at every stage” of the final and urged French authorities to draw lessons from the May 28 incidents, as France is […]

Several wildfires are sweeping across Portugal and Spain, menacing villages, and causing the evacuation of hundreds of local residents. The fires come at a time the countries are enduring a sweltering heatwave, with temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius (approximately 104 degrees Fahrenheit) in many parts.

European Union lawmakers have voted to include natural gas and nuclear in the bloc’s list of sustainable activities. The European Commission earlier this year made the controversial proposal as part of its plans for building a climate-friendly future, dividing member countries and drawing outcry from environmentalists as “greenwashing.”

Scientists at London’s Royal Botanic Gardens have discovered a new species of giant waterlily—the biggest in the world. And it turns out they already had the plant in their collection for nearly 180 years.

A cross-party review has recommended that members of parliament should not be allowed to bring babies into the House of Commons chamber during debates. MPs are allowed to take their babies with them when voting but not when participating in debates. The report was ordered amid an outcry over a Labour MP being told she can […]

NATO invited Sweden and Finland on Wednesday to join the military alliance in one of the biggest shifts in European security in decades after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine pushed the two countries to drop their traditional neutrality.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss used the NATO summit in Madrid to warn the Chinese Communist Party against invading Taiwan, and alert the West to not become strategically dependent on China.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson and fellow G7 leaders condemned Russia’s actions in Ukraine as the summit in Germany drew to a close. They pledged to impose tougher sanctions on Russia but refused to follow the White House’s request to impose a price cap on Russian oil.

Official figures show inflation in May remains at its highest level in 40 years, though only by 0.1 percentage point. The rise is mainly driven by food prices. Analysts say consumers are switching to cheaper brands and buying more food to eat at home rather than going to a restaurant.

French President Emmanuel Macron lost control of the National Assembly in legislative elections on Sunday. It’s a major setback that could throw the country into political paralysis unless he is able to negotiate alliances with other parties.

The EU has announced fresh legal action against the UK in response to the British government’s proposal to scrap parts of the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Russian troops control about 80 percent of the fiercely contested eastern Ukrainian city of Sievierodonetsk and have destroyed all three bridges leading out of the city. It’s a potential turning point for what Kyiv calls the key battle for the eastern Donbas region.

A royal warship that sank while carrying a future king, James Stuart, in the late 17th century has been discovered. A historian describes it as the most important maritime discovery since the Mary Rose, the warship from the Tudor navy of King Henry VIII.

The UK will send its first multiple-launch rocket systems to Ukraine, which can fire precision-guided missiles up to 50 miles, hoping to improve the country’s defence ability. Moscow warns that it will push Ukrainian forces back to protect from the West’s long-range weapons. Troops of Ukraine and Russia are engaging in intense street fighting in […]

Fighting rages in the Donbas region of Ukraine on Wednesday and U.S. President Joe Biden says Washington will supply precision rocket systems and munitions to the country. Ukraine marks Children’s Day with empty school buses to honor the 200 children killed in the war.

Ukrainian forces are resisting Russia’s all-out assault on a key city in Luhansk Province and both sides admit Russian troops now control up to half of the city. Russian-backed separatists in Donetsk sent out a ship loaded with thousands of tonnes of steel from Mariupol to Russia with Ukraine saying this amounts to looting.

More flights in the UK have been cancelled with many holidaymakers facing long queues at the airport. An aviation data company says nearly 300 flights have been axed since last Wednesday. Labour says the government has failed to step up support for airlines and airports, but the government says it’s the airlines who are to blame for not […]

Increasingly cut off due to western sanctions, the Russian economy plunges into recession amid double-digit inflation. President Vladimir Putin has raised pensions and the minimum wage whilst acknowledging a difficult year ahead. But he denied the country’s economic problems were all linked to the conflict in Ukraine.

Fighting rages in the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine. The governor of Luhansk Oblast says the situation is intense, with 90 percent of the region now under Russian control, and Ukrainian troops might withdraw further. Kyiv criticises the suggestions that Ukraine could give up its territory in exchange for peace as appeasing Nazi Germany in […]

The Russian soldier charged for killing an unarmed civilian in Ukraine has been jailed for life in the first war crimes trial since the invasion. Kyiv reveals that nearly 90 soldiers at a barracks were killed last week, its worst military loss in a single attack. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy calls for full sanctions against Moscow.

Ukraine says the evacuation of its soldiers from the besieged Azovstal steelworks continues. On Monday, more than 260 soldiers were transported to Russia-controlled territory for treatment, including over 50 seriously wounded ones. Some Russian lawmakers say the surrendered soldiers from the Azov Regiment should not be released through war prisoner exchanges.

Millions of tonnes of grain are currently stuck in Ukraine because of Russian port blockades. This grain is needed in many parts of the world. At the G-7 foreign ministers meeting in Germany, diplomats discussed ways to mitigate a global food crisis.

Finland’s leaders say their country needs to apply for NATO membership without delay. A majority of the public and members of the Finnish Parliament are in favor of the move. They change their mind after witnessing the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Russia says Finland’s move is definitely a threat and it will make a “decisive […]

Britain and Sweden have signed a security agreement, promising to defend each other in event of a crisis, including disasters or military attacks. The U.K. has offered to increase its military presence in Sweden to defend against the threat from Russia.

Ukraine is calling on the international community to take action to unblock its ports and resume wheat exports to prevent a global food crisis. The EU says Ukraine is sitting on wheat worth $8.6 billion but can’t export due to the conflict. Ukraine was the world’s fourth-largest exporter of maize last year and the No. […]

On one of Russia’s most important annual holidays, President Vladimir Putin sought to cast Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine as a forced response to Western policies. At a military parade on Red Square marking the World War II victory, Putin drew parallels between the Red Army’s fighting against the Nazi German troops and the Russian forces’ action in Ukraine.

How hard will it be to replace Russian oil? After the EU Commission proposed banning all oil from Russian imports by the end of the year, governments in Europe are trying to find ways to make up for a fifth of crude oil needs. One analyst says Asia will utilize the opportunity to snatch up the oil.

The United Nations says in its five-day operation, over 100 civilians were successfully evacuated from the Azovstal steel works in Mariupol to Ukraine-controlled territory. But many are still trapped there, and aid workers are worried that some elderly people could hardly walk to the pickup point. Russia is threatening to destroy convoys of arms shipments […]

On a visit to Moscow, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres proposes to coordinate with the Red Cross, Ukraine, and Russia to create humanitarian corridors out of the besieged Ukrainian city of Mariupol. And residents of the Donbas in eastern Ukraine say they are struggling to survive without many of the basics.

Amid criticism over his leadership on Ukraine, Chancellor Olaf Scholz is defending Germany’s commitment to secure arms for Ukrainians’ war effort. A leading lawmaker from the biggest opposition party is warning of fatal consequences if the German government does not quickly deliver heavy weapons.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is thought to have entered a second phase. Moscow’s troops have launched a new offensive on Ukraine’s eastern flank, targeting its industrial heartland. Ukraine’s president Zelenskyy says the Battle of Donbas has begun. The UK plans to provide Ukraine with vehicles that launch anti-aircraft missiles that can be used to shoot […]

Moscow is intensifying its airstrikes on Ukrainian cities. Ukraine says a Russian attack killed at least seven people in Lviv, the first civilian victims in the western city. And Russia’s Defence Ministry says 400 mercenaries are encircled in a steelworks plant in the besieged city of Mariupol. Warning: This report contains some graphic video footage.

Two British men who surrendered to Russian forces in the besieged city of Mariupol appeared on Russian state TV. Shaun Pinner and Aiden Aslin had both been Ukrainian residents before the invasion and had joined the country’s military, serving as marines. They appealed to Prime Minister Boris Johnson to be part of an exchange with pro-Russian politician Victor Medvedchuk, who was arrested by Ukraine last week. Medvedchuk asked for […]

After 50 days of Russia’s war in Ukraine, President Zelenskyy accuses Moscow of trying to destroy the Donbas region—with no people left. And Russia says Ukrainian forces have hit residential buildings and injured seven people in a Russian village in a cross-border attack.

The Kremlin on Wednesday rejected U.S. President Joe Biden’s statement calling Russia’s actions in Ukraine genocide. It comes after evidence emerged of rape, torture, and killings of civilians in areas around Kyiv, including the town of Bucha, following the withdrawal of Russian troops. The Russian President this week said the footage from Bucha was fake. But what does […]

Ukrainian soldiers are preparing for their final battle in Mariupol, while they are running low on supplies. The Russian Defence Ministry says over 1,000 Ukrainian troops surrendered. The mayor of the besieged port city says Russian forces are trying to hide evidence of war crimes by destroying bodies in mobile crematoriums.

Official figures released today show that prices are rising faster than wages, meaning people can buy less for their money. The Office for National Statistics says real pay is down nearly two percent, whilst the cost of living is rising at its fastest rate for 30 years.

French leader Emmanuel Macron and challenger Marine Le Pen qualified on Sunday for what promises to be a tightly fought presidential election run-off on April 24, pitting a pro-European economic liberal against a nationalist. After five years in power, Macron’s abrasive style has upset many, while Le Pen succeeded in softening her image.

Ukraine says Russian troops are getting ready to hit the Donbass region in the east as satellite images show an eight-mile Russian military convoy heading there. President Zelenskyy says Moscow wants to make Mariupol a destroyed city. And the World Bank forecasts that Ukraine’s economy will shrink by nearly half this year because of the war.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss says the U.K. will ban all imports of energy from Russia and increase its supply of weapons to Ukraine. Truss attended a NATO foreign ministers meeting on the war in Ukraine, where Ukraine’s foreign minister was pushing member states to increase weapon deliveries.

More gruesome scenes emerge from Bucha and other Ukrainian towns retaken from Russian forces. Moscow accuses the West of trying to derail its negotiations with Kyiv by fuelling what it called “hysteria” over alleged war crimes. Warning: Some of the following scenes might be disturbing for some viewers.

President Emmanuel Macron is the clear favorite in France’s presidential election on Sunday. Yet a big unknown factor may prove decisive: Many voters, especially young people, say they may stay away from the polls. Analysts say a high number of abstentions raises the likelihood of a surprise.

The Ukrainian leader addressed the U.N.’s most powerful body, as he builds support for an investigation into the killings in Bucha. Kyiv said at least 300 civilians in the town have been killed by Russian forces. Moscow called the accusations a “monstrous forgery.” Warning: Some viewers may find the footage disturbing.

Ukrainian officials say the bodies of over 420 civilians were found in towns and cities around Kyiv that were recaptured from Russian forces. Reporters in the town of Bucha confirmed at least 21 bodies, which appeared to have been killed at close range, some with their hands tied behind their backs. Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy called it an act of genocide. The following scenes might be […]

The Chinese premier told EU leaders during a virtual summit that Beijing would push for peace in “its own way” in Ukraine. The EU has raised the possibility of penalties against Chinese companies that undermine measures taken against Russia. But both sides agreed that the war in Ukraine was threatening global security and the world economy.

A village school was hit by a Russian airstrike on Wednesday, one day after Moscow announced it would reduce attacks around Kyiv. NATO says Russian forces are not withdrawing but regrouping in Ukraine and trying to reinforce its operation in the Donbas region. People who remain in Mariupol are desperate after burying their friends and […]

Ukraine and Russia’s negotiation teams had their first face-to-face meeting since early March. The meeting was constructive and Russia says it will reduce attacks around Kyiv. Ukraine put forward a detailed proposal, including a 15-year-negotiation on the issue of Crimea.

After a grilling in Westminster last week, the CEO of P&O Ferries moved on to Holyrood to face a Committee who told him he’s “the most hated man in Britain.” The meeting came after a letter from the Transport Secretary accused Peter Hebblethwaite of leaving his reputation and that of his company “in tatters.”

A new round of ceasefire talks between Ukraine and Russia will start from Tuesday. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy says his priorities are Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, though he also says he’s ready for compromise on the Russia-backed separatists occupied eastern Donbas region. The U.K. government distances itself from U.S. President Joe Biden’s remark that President […]

The northern Swedish city of  Skelleftea near the Arctic Circle has a strong tradition of making use of wood—with wooden bridges and even a wooden multi-story carpark. And now it’s embracing this heritage even further with one of the tallest wooden skyscrapers on the planet and a new Cultural Centre—built entirely from timber.

Western allies are resolved to demonstrate unity in Brussels. The European diplomatic capital is hosting an emergency NATO summit, a gathering of the Group of Seven industrialized nations, and a summit of the European Union. World leaders intend to ramp up pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin, while tending to the economic and security fallout […]

On the 28th day of war, Ukrainian forces continue to retake territory. The mayor of Kyiv says they are now in control of some towns near the capital. Russia claims that it has destroyed a Ukrainian arms depot by firing long-range missiles. And President Vladimir Putin says he plans to force countries imposing sanctions on Russia to pay for […]

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says a meeting between him and Russian President Vladimir Putin is needed to negotiate an end to the war, and that any compromise needs to be approved by a referendum. Meanwhile, people have started to evacuate from the Black Sea port of Odesa as Russian forces loom.

Ukrainian authorities refused Russia’s demand to surrender in Mariupol, saying two-thousand civilians have lost their lives in the besieged city. Some died of stress or lack of medical help. Russian shells hit residential buildings and a shopping center in Kyiv, killing at least eight people. The strategically important Black Sea port city of Odessa reported a first attack from […]

Despite the ruthless shelling of Ukrainian cities, intelligence suggests Russian forces made little progress this week. On Friday missiles hit an aircraft maintenance facility in Lviv. And several Cabinet ministers have been the victims of hoax calls by people pretending to be Ukrainian politicians, in what Ben Wallace calls a “desperate attempt” by Russia.

Rescue attempts are underway after a theatre was bombed in the Ukrainian city of Mariupol. Hundreds of civilians, including children, were taking shelter in the basement. Local officials say they don’t know yet how many have survived. And U.K. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said that there’s strong evidence that “war crimes have been committed and that Vladimir Putin is behind them.” Russia has […]

For over 100 years, police investigators have spent hours painstakingly poring over clothing to search for bloodstains as evidence. But a new technology from the Met means forensic scientists are now able to spot tiny specks of blood on dark clothing in a matter of seconds, sometimes resulting in crucial evidence.

The Ukrainian President urged American lawmakers to do more to protect his country from Russia’s invasion in an address to the U.S. Congress. There was also new talk of compromise from both Moscow and Kyiv on a status for Ukraine outside of NATO, lifting hope for a potential breakthrough after three weeks of war.

A fourth round of talks was underway between Ukrainian and Russian officials with both sides expressing careful optimism. Meanwhile, Russian bombardment of Ukrainian cities continued, with Kyiv and Mariupol seeing blocks of flats hit. And the EU announced a fresh round of sanctions.

The UK plans to send more weapons to Ukraine. Defence Secretary Ben Wallace says that will include more anti-tank weapons and possibly anti-aircraft missiles in order to strengthen Kyiv’s air defences. Meanwhile, little progress has been made to evacuate people from besieged cities. Residents in Mariupol are struggling to live in a city without water and electricity, […]

The UK, the United States, and the EU have responded to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine with tough sanctions against some billionaire businessmen with close ties to President Vladimir Putin. Now, with their assets frozen, yachts seized, and travels banned, we take a look at the men said to be Putin’s cronies.

Russia is warning it may shut down a main route for supplying gas to Germany. This comes as the European Commission published plans to cut EU dependency on Russian gas this year by two-thirds.

Over 200 Ukrainian civilians have been killed and one million have fled the country since the Russian invasion. Britain and Baltic countries are calling for harsher sanctions against Moscow to cripple funding of the war.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson says Russian attacks on Ukrainian civilians are a war crime as the House of Commons welcomes the Ukrainian ambassador with a standing ovation.

Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine is reshaping Europe’s post-World War II security policy. Germany, at the weekend, not only decided to send weapons to Ukraine but also to double its defense budget. Allies have long criticized Germany for not playing a role on the world stage equal to its size as Europe’s largest economy.

The sporting community has condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. European football governing body UEFA has moved the Champions League final from Saint Petersburg to Paris. And the International Olympic Committee criticized the Russian government for breaching the Olympic Truce.

MPs are united in opposition to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson listing out further economic measures against Russia this evening. It includes an asset freeze on Russian state-run VBT bank and banning Russian-owned airline Aeroflot from landing in the UK.

After two years of closure, Australia’s borders are open again to UK travelers. It comes after the Australian government lifted some of the harshest pandemic measures of any democracy in the world. Tourism Australia officials estimate that tourist numbers will take two years to rebound to pre-pandemic levels.

World leaders are making another diplomatic push in the hope of preventing a Russian invasion of Ukraine. The French president says U.S. and Russian leaders had “accepted the principle of a summit between them.” This as heavy shelling continues in Ukraine’s east, and the Kremlin considers recognizing the independence of the separatist regions there. The UK defense secretary […]

At the Beijing Olympics, the Olympic Committee president said those responsible for the doping of Russian teen figure skater Kamila Valieva will be dealt with in “very strong measures.” Some are now pushing to raise the minimum age at the Games. And a former U.S. Olympian said the Beijing Olympics will be remembered for whitewashing Chinese human rights […]

Kyiv and its Western allies said they feared that Russia might be trying to create a pretext to unleash war on Thursday. This comes after eyewitness reports of shelling in the Donbass region, which both Russian-backed rebels and Ukrainian forces blame on one another.

The Foreign Secretary warns that the free world must unite and stand up to Russia—or risk emboldening “aggressors, authoritarians, and autocrats everywhere.” Liz Truss said the West must be ready to deal with the economic “pain” of imposing sanctions on Moscow for the sake of long-term security. Meanwhile, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace says Russian troop […]

Moscow says it is withdrawing forces and open to diplomacy, but NATO, the United States, and other allies say they have seen little evidence of a military de-escalation. Defence ministers from NATO member nations are meeting in Brussels to discuss next steps for the military alliance amid the Ukraine crisis.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson says there are mixed signals from Russia. And that while there are signs of openness to conversations, intelligence suggests more Russian troops are moving closer to the border with Ukraine—despite claims of withdrawal. Boris Johnson says it’s important to get tough sanctions ready to target Russian companies and stop them from […]

Tensions are reported between Home Secretary Priti Patel and Mayor of London Sadiq Khan after the Met Commissioner’s surprise resignation last night. Dame Cressida Dick made it clear that she was forced out of her role by the London Mayor, blighted by a string of high-profile scandals in the force. The Home Secretary wrote in […]

Boris Johnson met the Secretary-General at NATO headquarters, where he warned Europe was at “the most dangerous moment.” Johnson said he had agreed with Stoltenberg on a package of support to strengthen the alliance’s collective security. Their meeting came as Russia held sweeping military drills in Belarus, just north of Ukraine.

According to a public spending watchdog, UK trade with the EU has been knocked by Brexit with businesses facing higher costs, more paperwork, and border delays. The Commons committee warns if passenger volume returns to pre-pandemic levels this summer, the border will face more pressure.

Boris Johnson says the UK “will not flinch” over Ukraine and the UK’s support to NATO and Ukraine is unconditional and immovable. He says he’s considering sending UK troops and warships to southeastern Europe. He also warns Russian President Vladimir Putin that an invasion of Ukraine will backfire and strengthen the NATO defense alliance.

Energy regulator Ofgem has confirmed the energy price cap will soar by nearly 700 pounds ($950) to nearly 2,000 pounds ($2,700) per year from April. The Bank of England is also raising interest rates to 0.5 percent. Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced plans to help households.

Russian leader Vladimir Putin, in his first direct public comments on the Ukraine crisis in over a month, claimed the Western allies are using the situation to contain Russia. He said their refusal to meet Russia’s security demands violates an earlier pact on security for all nations.

In Spain, more than 35,000 nursing home residents are suspected to have died from COVID-19, mostly during the first months of the pandemic. Now, relatives of those who died are concerned that authorities didn’t properly investigate suspected criminal neglect at those homes.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson met with the Ukrainian president Tuesday in Kyiv to reaffirm the UK’s support for Ukrainian sovereignty. The government announced it would send 88 million pounds ($120 million) to Ukraine to aid “good governance” and energy independence in the country.

The Ukrainian president is calling it a mistake that the U.K. and the U.S. pulled out their diplomats. He says the West excessively highlighting the risk of a large-scale war with Russia contributes to panic.

Portuguese voters head to the ballot box this Sunday. Polls show that the ruling center-left Socialist Party has lost significant public support while the center-right Social Democrats, as well as the Nationalist party “Chega”, have shot up in popularity. In October, a bid by left- and right-wing parties to reject the minority government’s budget bill triggered the snap election.

In Ukraine’s east, some residents say they are exhausted by the conflict between Ukrainian forces and pro-Russian separatists. And are skeptical of diplomatic talks to defuse tensions which they feel are just for show. In Moscow, some passers-by blame the West for the tensions. This report comes from