08:43
11.3.2014
Reuters reports that French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius says sanctions against Russia over Ukraine could be imposed as early as this week if Moscow fails to respond to a proposition designed to calm the crisis over the occupation of Crimea.
He also dismissed the looming referendum called by the Crimean parliament on joining Russia, saying, "The only legitimate vote is that of May 25 for the president of the republic in Ukraine. The vote of March 16 has no legitimacy."
He also dismissed the looming referendum called by the Crimean parliament on joining Russia, saying, "The only legitimate vote is that of May 25 for the president of the republic in Ukraine. The vote of March 16 has no legitimacy."
08:10
11.3.2014
Leaflet says if you vote against Crimea joining Russia, Ukrainian neonazis will drive electricity prices up by 40% http://t.co/WINhfgBmme
— Russian Police Watch (@RusPoliceWatch) March 11, 2014
08:09
11.3.2014
Two journalists feared kidnapped in #Crimea, last seen on #Russian-controlled checkpoint http://t.co/MZTrv4OA2F pic.twitter.com/fXzdn2LdQa
— grasswire (@grasswire) March 10, 2014
21:47
10.3.2014
Barring major developments, this concludes our live-blogging for March 10.
21:45
10.3.2014
Our Ukrainian Service was in Simferopol as dozens of people rallied on March 10 to protest the shutting down of terrestrial broadcasts of all Ukrainian television channels in Crimea, with Russian channels taking over some of the vacated frequencies.
21:38
10.3.2014
The World Bank says it is prepared to offer $3 billion to Ukraine this year to help it advance reforms and support crucial development projects. Bank President Jim Yong Kim said in Washington on March 10 that "we are committed to supporting the people of Ukraine in these difficult times and very much hope that the situation in the country stabilizes soon."
21:29
10.3.2014
#Berkut riot, er, auxiliary police aiding #Russia's occupation of #Crimea, at Checkpoint Chonhar/mainland #Ukraine pic.twitter.com/2H0UD4xof7
— Ukrainian Updates (@Ukroblogger) March 10, 2014
20:51
10.3.2014
Take a look at this shot of pro-Russia (Soviet?!) supporters in Kharkiv:
Нацболы в Харькове отожгли: http://t.co/zDgyUJIrwI Это не фейк?
— Ilya Varlamov (@varlamov) March 10, 2014
20:42
10.3.2014
Russian forces today in #Crimea seize military hospital in Simferopol, base in Bakhchisaray http://t.co/bkh5oypU82 pic.twitter.com/DjxKGnImas
— Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) March 10, 2014
20:29
10.3.2014
British Prime Minister David Cameron speaking March 10 in parliament in London.
On Britain's response to Russia for its activities in Ukraine:
"Here in Britain I have ordered an urgent review of all government business with Russia. We've already announced that no ministers or members of the royal family will visit the Sochi Paralympics. Many other planned ministerial level contacts will be cancelled in current circumstances. All bilateral military cooperation is under review with the presumption that we will suspend it, except for work carried out to fulfill international treaty obligations, such as European Arms Control inspections."
"I've ordered a review of licenses for arms exports to Russia. It is hard to see how anything that could be used in Ukraine could be justified. But as with other measures, it is best, if possible, to take these decisions in concert with our European allies."
"We are working closely with our American, European, and other international partners to prepare a list of names [of Russian citizens to be sanctioned] and these sanctions, plus the measures already agreed against [ousted Ukrainian President Viktor] Yanukovych and his circle will be the focus of a meeting here in London tomorrow with key international partners."
On a referendum in Crimea:
"We are all clear that any referendum or vote in Crimea this week will be illegal, illegitimate, and will not be recognized by the international community. I have to say in addition -- any campaign would actually be completely impractical as well as illegal. There is no proper register, no proper campaign, the territory is covered with troops -- it's completely impossible for a proper referendum campaign to be carried out."
"As I discussed with [German] Chancellor [Angela] Merkel last night in Hannover, Russia can chose the path of de-escalation by signalling it understands that the outcome cannot be acted on as legitimate. Chancellor Merkel and I were clear that any attempt by Russia to legitimize an illegal referendum would require us to respond by ratcheting up the pressure further."
On EU's vulnerability to sanctions by Russia:
"Such sanctions would have consequences for many EU member states, including Britain. But as I argued at the meeting [of the EU heads of state], the costs of not standing up to aggression are far greater. Britain's own security and prosperity would be at risk if we allow a situation where countries can just flout international rules without incurring consequences."
On pending G8 and EU-Russia summits:
"The point [being made] about the EU-Russia summit and linking that to the G8 is absolutely right. I think it would be unthinkable for a G8 not to go ahead but an EU-Russia summit to go ahead. I think these things have to be considered in tandem."