Ukraine

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Pro-Russian gunmen stand guard in front of the monument of Soviet Union founder Vladimir Lenin, during a Victory Day celebration, which commemorates the 1945 defeat of Nazi Germany, in the center of Slovyansk, eastern Ukraine, Friday, May 9, 2014. Putin's surprise call on Wednesday for delaying the referendum in eastern Ukraine appeared to reflect Russia's desire to distance itself from the separatists as it bargains with the West over a settlement to the Ukrainian crisis. But insurgents in the Russian-speaking east defied Putin's call and said they would go ahead with the referendum. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)