12:18
12.3.2014
Russian news agencies report that a Russian lawmaker has officially requested that the Prosecutor-General's Office launch an investigation into possible extremism by former oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky.
Roman Khudyakov of the Liberal Democratic Party told "Izvestia" on March 12 that statements made by Khodorkovsky in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, earlier this week qualify as extremist since they call for "revolt against Russia."
On March 9-10, Khodorkovsky addressed thousands of people on Kyiv's Independence Square and university students. He said that Russia had been spreading "lies" about who was behind the events in Ukraine and noted there are many in Russia who oppose the occupation of Crimea.
The Russian State Duma has also noted that Khodorkovsky publicly promised not to engage in political activities.
The former Yukos oil chief was arrested in 2003 and imprisoned on tax evasion and other charges. He was amnestied in December and has remained abroad ever since, recently requesting Swiss residency.
Roman Khudyakov of the Liberal Democratic Party told "Izvestia" on March 12 that statements made by Khodorkovsky in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, earlier this week qualify as extremist since they call for "revolt against Russia."
On March 9-10, Khodorkovsky addressed thousands of people on Kyiv's Independence Square and university students. He said that Russia had been spreading "lies" about who was behind the events in Ukraine and noted there are many in Russia who oppose the occupation of Crimea.
The Russian State Duma has also noted that Khodorkovsky publicly promised not to engage in political activities.
The former Yukos oil chief was arrested in 2003 and imprisoned on tax evasion and other charges. He was amnestied in December and has remained abroad ever since, recently requesting Swiss residency.
11:59
12.3.2014
Nice WashPost summary of the nail-biting in Belarus and Kazakhstan over Crimea:
"Kazakhstan's Nursultan Nazarbayev has traditionally sought to maintain constructive relations with both Russia and West, but if a Cold War redux erupts over inclusion of Crimea into Russia, Astana might be forced to take sides and therefore lose the opportunity to play great powers off each other," Simon Saradzhyan, a research fellow at Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard University, explains in an e-mail. "The same goes for Belarus' Alexandr Lukashenko, who tends to make overtures to the West whenever he wants a major concession from Russia." U.S. or European Union sanctions against Russia would hurt both countries, Saradzhyan notes, as they are now tied economically to Moscow.
"Kazakhstan's Nursultan Nazarbayev has traditionally sought to maintain constructive relations with both Russia and West, but if a Cold War redux erupts over inclusion of Crimea into Russia, Astana might be forced to take sides and therefore lose the opportunity to play great powers off each other," Simon Saradzhyan, a research fellow at Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard University, explains in an e-mail. "The same goes for Belarus' Alexandr Lukashenko, who tends to make overtures to the West whenever he wants a major concession from Russia." U.S. or European Union sanctions against Russia would hurt both countries, Saradzhyan notes, as they are now tied economically to Moscow.
11:53
12.3.2014
Ukrainian national guard to be 20k strong, per Paruby - not 40k as in earlier tweet, apologies
— max seddon (@maxseddon) March 12, 2014
11:53
12.3.2014
President @BarrosoEU in #EP - outcome of #Ukraine crisis will impact geopolitical configuration in Europe for years to come.
— Štefan Füle (@StefanFuleEU) March 12, 2014
11:52
12.3.2014
Ukraine hoping to form 40k-strong national guard tomorrow, including Maidan "self-defense" fighters
— max seddon (@maxseddon) March 12, 2014
11:51
12.3.2014
RFE/RL Brussels correspondent Rikard Jozwiak quotes European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso sharply criticizing Russia over the situation in Crimea, saying a proposal to Moscow for direct talks has been left unanswered.
Speaking at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Barroso said the commission would release a statement soon "that will leave no doubt about the determination of the G7 countries and the European Union." He said the statement will call on Russia to cease all efforts to annex Crimea.
He repeated that Brussels will impose sanctions if meaningful negotiations do not begin soon and produce results within a limited time frame. He said EU foreign ministers will convene on March 17 and may take a decision on sanctions.
Barroso added that the commission will propose macro-financial assistance worth 1 billion euros to Ukraine next week, part of a financial aid package of 11 billion euros announced last week.
Speaking at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Barroso said the commission would release a statement soon "that will leave no doubt about the determination of the G7 countries and the European Union." He said the statement will call on Russia to cease all efforts to annex Crimea.
He repeated that Brussels will impose sanctions if meaningful negotiations do not begin soon and produce results within a limited time frame. He said EU foreign ministers will convene on March 17 and may take a decision on sanctions.
Barroso added that the commission will propose macro-financial assistance worth 1 billion euros to Ukraine next week, part of a financial aid package of 11 billion euros announced last week.
11:50
12.3.2014
#G7 statement on #Crimea will be announced in nearest hours http://t.co/CGOwZAzQkc @SvobodaRadio | PR News #Ukraine #Putin #CrimeaInvasion
— Euromaidan PR (@EuromaidanPR) March 12, 2014
11:47
12.3.2014
A commentary from RFE/RL's editor in chief, Nenad Pejic -- who was previously director of RFE/RL's Balkan Service and before that, editor in chief of Bosnian Television -- titled "What's The Difference Between Vladimir Putin And Slobodan Milosevic? About 22 Years."
He goes on, in considerable detail, to compare their methods before concluding:
They are one man with two shadows; one modus operandi separated by a little more than two decades.
In fact, if Milosevic were alive today, he could probably sue Putin for plagiarism.
In fact, if Milosevic were alive today, he could probably sue Putin for plagiarism.
He goes on, in considerable detail, to compare their methods before concluding:
...Putin enjoys an advantage that Milosevic lacked. Russia, unlike Serbia, is a major geopolitical player with a seat on the UN Security Council, a nuclear power, and a crucial supplier of energy to Europe.
If, without assets like these, Milosevic managed to menace his neighbors for eight years, how long will Putin be able to do so?
If, without assets like these, Milosevic managed to menace his neighbors for eight years, how long will Putin be able to do so?
11:46
12.3.2014
Crimea's pro-Russian PM Aksyonov tweets that peninsula is in on full alert, links to bombastic Life News video:
Крым в полной боевой готовности 12.03.14: http://t.co/pHBxp17Jmq #Крым #чонгар #Перекоп
— Сергей Аксенов (@sergyaksenov) March 12, 2014
11:40
12.3.2014
More on the U.S. Mission to the OSCE's concern about the involvement of Russian military personnel in establishing roadblocks in Crimea:
"Among the evidence cited in the report were '[Russian] pattern uniforms and combat equipment without identifying patches,' 'trucks bearing license plate numbers associated with Black Sea Fleet,' and armored personnel carriers, 'one of which is a naval infantry version displaying [Russian] markings.'
Read the full statement here:
"Among the evidence cited in the report were '[Russian] pattern uniforms and combat equipment without identifying patches,' 'trucks bearing license plate numbers associated with Black Sea Fleet,' and armored personnel carriers, 'one of which is a naval infantry version displaying [Russian] markings.'
Read the full statement here: