VIENNA (Reuters) - International mediators took new peace proposals to Kiev on Thursday as tension in eastern Ukraine soared with an announcement by pro-Moscow separatists that they would proceed with a referendum on self-rule on Sunday.
The draft "road map", seen by Reuters, took no direct view on the referendum, which Western leaders say is illegitimate and inflammatory, but said national elections planned by the pro-Western leadership in Kiev for May 25 were key to stabilising the former Soviet republic. It said all sides must refrain from "violence, intimidation or provocative actions".