In Ukraine, separatists issue ultimatum to end rail blockade

FILE PHOTO: Smoke billows from the chimneys of the Ilycha steelworks in the industrial city of Mariupol in eastern Ukraine February 3, 2015. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich/File Photo

KIEV (Reuters) - Pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine said on Monday they would take control of Ukraine-run businesses in rebel-held areas if the Ukrainian government does not end a rail blockade that has halted coal supplies.

For the past month, a group of Ukrainian lawmakers and veterans have blocked some rail traffic in eastern regions - a move opposed by the government as it prevents coal produced in separatist territory from reaching Ukrainian power plants and the steel industry, whose exports are a keystone of the economy.