VOA标准英语2014--Ukraine Separatists Rally as Unity Backers Meet Putin Foe

Ukraine Separatists Rally as Unity¹ Backers Meet Putin Foe²

DONETSK, UKRAINE — Hundreds of separatists rallied Sunday in the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk, while a smaller group of unity supporters met with a Russian billionaire and opponent of President Putin.

A separatist group called the Donetsk People's Republic organized the rally that attracted several hundred supporters.  Earlier this month, the group occupied two government buildings.  It plans to organize an independence referendum on May 11, similar to the recent vote in Crimea that Russia used to justify³ its annexation⁴ of that region.

Many of the local residents who attended the rally say they do not trust the pro-Western government that came to power in Kyiv after president Viktor Yanukovych was ousted⁵. Elena Gavrilina is a teacher in Donetsk.

“We want to organize a referendum to voice against our illegal power, against our illegal authorities.  People are angry, very angry,” said Gavrilina.

The separatists later took over the Donetsk regional TV station.

In nearby Slovyansk, a group of observers with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe were detained by insurgents⁶.

The Ukrainian military has increased its presence in the region and Russia has massed thousands of troops near the Ukrainian border.

Donetsk separatist supporter Dmitri Litvinov says they are worried about Ukrainian troops, but would welcome Russia.

“It worries us that it is from the side of Ukraine. The Russians are our people, our blood. We are Russians ourselves. Donetsk is a Russian city.”

Also in Donetsk, a smaller group of residents who want to keep Ukraine united met with Russian billionaire Mikhail Khodorkovsky.  The long-time political opponent of President Vladimir Putin told the crowd they must let Russia know it will pay a price if it tries to intervene in the region.

“You ask me if Russia's elite⁷ understand there will be strong resistance to Russian troops, and the answer is no.  They do not understand it,” said Khodorkovsky.

As hopes for a peaceful settlement appear to dwindle⁸, tensions in the region continue to escalate⁹.

1 unity   

n.团结，联合，统一；和睦，协调

参考例句：

• When we speak of unity,we do not mean unprincipled peace.所谓团结，并非一团和气。
• We must strengthen our unity in the face of powerful enemies.大敌当前，我们必须加强团结。

2 foe   

n.敌人，仇敌

参考例句：

• He knew that Karl could be an implacable foe.他明白卡尔可能会成为他的死敌。
• A friend is a friend;a foe is a foe;one must be clearly distinguished from the other.敌是敌，友是友，必须分清界限。

3 justify   

vt.证明…正当(或有理)，为…辩护

参考例句：

• He tried to justify his absence with lame excuses.他想用站不住脚的借口为自己的缺席辩解。
• Can you justify your rude behavior to me?你能向我证明你的粗野行为是有道理的吗？

4 annexation   

n.吞并，合并

参考例句：

• He mentioned the Japanese annexation of Korea in 1910 .他提及1910年日本对朝鲜的吞并。
• I regard the question of annexation as belonging exclusively to the United States and Texas.我认为合并的问题，完全属于德克萨斯和美国之间的事。

5 ousted   

驱逐( oust的过去式和过去分词 )； 革职； 罢黜； 剥夺

参考例句：

• He was ousted as chairman. 他的主席职务被革除了。
• He may be ousted by a military takeover. 他可能在一场军事接管中被赶下台。

6 insurgents   

n.起义，暴动，造反( insurgent的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The regular troops of Baden joined the insurgents. 巴登的正规军参加到起义军方面来了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Against the Taliban and Iraqi insurgents, these problems are manageable. 要对付塔利班与伊拉克叛乱分子，这些问题还是可以把握住的。 来自互联网

7 elite   

n.精英阶层；实力集团；adj.杰出的，卓越的

参考例句：

• The power elite inside the government is controlling foreign policy.政府内部的一群握有实权的精英控制着对外政策。
• We have a political elite in this country.我们国家有一群政治精英。

8 dwindle   

v.逐渐变小（或减少）

参考例句：

• The factory's workforce has dwindled from over 4,000 to a few hundred.工厂雇员总数已经从4,000多人减少到几百人。
• He is struggling to come to terms with his dwindling authority.他正努力适应自己权力被削弱这一局面。

9 escalate   

v.(使)逐步增长(或发展)，(使)逐步升级

参考例句：

• It would tempt Israel's neighbors to escalate their demands.它将诱使以色列的邻国不断把他们的要求升级。
• Defeat could cause one side or other to escalate the conflict.失败可能会导致其中一方将冲突升级。