Ukrainian Militia Deny Calls To Free Buildings

DONETSK, Ukraine (AP) — Pro-Russian insurgents in Ukraine's east who have been occupying government buildings in more than 10 cities say they will only leave them if the interim government in Kiev resigns.

Denis Pushilin, a figurehead of the self-appointed Donetsk People's Republic, says the insurgents do not recognize the Ukrainian government as legitimate.

Ukraine and Russia on Thursday agreed to take tentative steps toward calming tensions along their shared border after more than a month of bloodshed.

Pushilin says the deal specifies that all illegally seized buildings should be vacated and in his opinion the government in Kiev is occupying public buildings illegally.