12:13
13.3.2014
More news in from the wires:
Ukraine's parliament has voted unanimously to create a new National Guard of some 60,000 volunteers as thousands of Russian forces occupy Crimea.
Acting President Oleksandr Turchynov had asked parliament to form a National Guard to defend the country "against external and internal aggression."
Ukraine's Interior Minister will directly lead the new military unit, while the commander of the National Guard, who will be nominated by the president and approved by parliament, will be responsible for the unit's military activities.
Ukraine's parliament has also just endorsed a document that appeals to the UN to discuss Russia's occupation of Crimea, citing the "flagrant violation by the Russian Federation of the fundamental principles of international law."
The document also confirmed that Ukraine seeks deeper integration with the European Union. (UNIAN, AFP, Reuters)
Ukraine's parliament has voted unanimously to create a new National Guard of some 60,000 volunteers as thousands of Russian forces occupy Crimea.
Acting President Oleksandr Turchynov had asked parliament to form a National Guard to defend the country "against external and internal aggression."
Ukraine's Interior Minister will directly lead the new military unit, while the commander of the National Guard, who will be nominated by the president and approved by parliament, will be responsible for the unit's military activities.
Ukraine's parliament has also just endorsed a document that appeals to the UN to discuss Russia's occupation of Crimea, citing the "flagrant violation by the Russian Federation of the fundamental principles of international law."
The document also confirmed that Ukraine seeks deeper integration with the European Union. (UNIAN, AFP, Reuters)
11:32
13.3.2014
Levada polls Russians: Who's legit authority in Ukraine? There's none, anarchy reigns: 62% Yanuk: 15% New govt: 11% http://t.co/QoBWwsIiHL
— KyivPost (@KyivPost) March 13, 2014
11:28
13.3.2014
79% of Russians polled by the Levada Center support joining the Crimea, but does not want to fight most http://t.co/yZlHz173wf
- Pavel Sheremet (@ pavelsheremet) March 13, 2014
11:28
13.3.2014
"We are a united people, we are a united country."
Crimean Tatars protest Russia's takeover of their region with this video clip. The song is by popular Ukrainian rock band Okean Elzy.
Crimean Tatars protest Russia's takeover of their region with this video clip. The song is by popular Ukrainian rock band Okean Elzy.
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11:20
13.3.2014
Levada poll: 67% of surveyed Russians say "radical Ukrainian nationalists" responsible for events in #crimea http://t.co/K52h093Upq
— Glenn Kates (@gkates) March 13, 2014
11:19
13.3.2014
According to Levada, 63% of Russians think media covg. of Ukraine has been objective/mostly objective http://t.co/K52h093Upq via @CoalsonR
— Glenn Kates (@gkates) March 13, 2014
11:18
13.3.2014
According to a new Levada poll, a majority of Russians support their government's actions in Crimea.
11:09
13.3.2014
Meanwhile, there has been an uptick in Russian President Vladimir Putin's approval ratings at home:
Россия голосует за войну с Украиной,рейтинг Путина растет. А украинские политики продолжают интриговать друг с другом pic.twitter.com/Hi8Cfpe22v
— Павел Шеремет (@pavelsheremet) March 13, 2014
11:04
13.3.2014
RFE/RL's newsdesk has just issued this brief item:
John McCain is leading a group of eight U.S. senators to Kyiv this weekend to show American support for Ukraine's new authorities in the standoff with Russia.
The senators -- five from the Republican Party and three Democrats -- are expected to leave Washington today.
McCain, known for his harsh criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin, last visited Kyiv in December and addressed protesters in Independence Square.
Yesterday, the U.S. Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee approved a measure that would provide more than $1 billion in aid and loan guarantees to Ukraine’s new government and impose sanctions on Russians and Ukrainians held responsible for violence or human rights violations during the recent protests.
The bill must still be passed by the full Senate and House of Representatives. (Reuters, washingtonpost.com, wsj.com)
John McCain is leading a group of eight U.S. senators to Kyiv this weekend to show American support for Ukraine's new authorities in the standoff with Russia.
The senators -- five from the Republican Party and three Democrats -- are expected to leave Washington today.
McCain, known for his harsh criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin, last visited Kyiv in December and addressed protesters in Independence Square.
Yesterday, the U.S. Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee approved a measure that would provide more than $1 billion in aid and loan guarantees to Ukraine’s new government and impose sanctions on Russians and Ukrainians held responsible for violence or human rights violations during the recent protests.
The bill must still be passed by the full Senate and House of Representatives. (Reuters, washingtonpost.com, wsj.com)
11:02
13.3.2014
WATCH: U.S. President Says Russia Faces Costs Over Ukraine Intervention