20:35
23.3.2014
An aspect of the Ukraine situation that has probably been slightly neglected until now: "The Daily Beast" takes a detailed look at the influence of the pro-Moscow mafia in eastern Ukraine.
19:23
23.3.2014
Here's an item from RFE/RL's newsdesk on the upcoming OSCE mission to Ukraine:
The Kremlin says Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have spoken by telephone to discuss "the situation that has arisen" after Crimea's annexation by Russia.
A Kremlin statement said the leaders "expressed satisfaction" that an agreement had been reached to send monitors from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, (OSCE) to Ukraine.
The mission will be deployed in nine places outside Kyiv, but there is no specific mention of Crimea in its mandate.
Russia's Foreign Ministry said yesterday that the mandate "reflects the new political and legal realities and does not apply to Crimea and Sevastopol, which became part of Russia."
But a German government spokesman said the OSCE was "expressly not casting into doubt the territorial integrity of Ukraine." (Reuters, AFP, Interfax)
The Kremlin says Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have spoken by telephone to discuss "the situation that has arisen" after Crimea's annexation by Russia.
A Kremlin statement said the leaders "expressed satisfaction" that an agreement had been reached to send monitors from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, (OSCE) to Ukraine.
The mission will be deployed in nine places outside Kyiv, but there is no specific mention of Crimea in its mandate.
Russia's Foreign Ministry said yesterday that the mandate "reflects the new political and legal realities and does not apply to Crimea and Sevastopol, which became part of Russia."
But a German government spokesman said the OSCE was "expressly not casting into doubt the territorial integrity of Ukraine." (Reuters, AFP, Interfax)
19:16
23.3.2014
This is interesting and different for sure A sex boycott by Ukrainian women http://t.co/Rl3gc7rTYE
— bruce springnote (@BSpringnote) March 23, 2014
18:01
23.3.2014
RIA kindly informs that petition for the return of Alaska to Russia has been signed by 7K people MT “@rianru: http://t.co/0nafYTjdwJ”
— Leonid Ragozin (@leonidragozin) March 23, 2014
17:59
23.3.2014
Interfax is quoting Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Yevhen Prebiynis as saying that Kyiv insists that the OSCE observer mission extend to Crimea:
"This indisputable fact has been recognized by all member countries of the OSCE except Russia, which has once again found itself in isolation in the largest security organization," Foreign Ministry spokesman Yevhen Prebiynis told Interfax on Sunday.
17:28
23.3.2014
Another update from our newsdesk:
In Washington, a top White House aide has said it's possible that Russia could invade eastern Ukraine.
Deputy National Security Advisor Tony Blinken told CNN's "State of the Union" program that Russia seems to be trying to intimidate Ukraine by massing thousands of troops along the border.
Blinken said the United States is looking at providing military assistance to Ukraine.
However, he said "it's very unlikely to change Russia's calculus and prevent an invasion."
In Washington, a top White House aide has said it's possible that Russia could invade eastern Ukraine.
Deputy National Security Advisor Tony Blinken told CNN's "State of the Union" program that Russia seems to be trying to intimidate Ukraine by massing thousands of troops along the border.
Blinken said the United States is looking at providing military assistance to Ukraine.
However, he said "it's very unlikely to change Russia's calculus and prevent an invasion."
16:53
23.3.2014
This video posted on YouTube has footage of what seems be a large pro-Russian demonstration in Odesa today:
16:06
23.3.2014
This just in from RFE/RL's newsdesk:
Ukraine's acting Foreign Minister Andriy Deshchytsya said in a U.S. television interview on March 23 that the chances of war between his country and Russia are growing.
Speaking on ABC-TV’s "This Week" program, Deshchytsya said: "We don't know what Putin has in his mind... That's why this situation is becoming even more explosive than it used to be a week ago."
The broadcast comes after Ukraine's acting President Oleksandr Turchynov demanded that Russia release the top Ukrainian military commander at the Belbek Air Force base near Sevastopol, who was "abducted" after it was stormed by Russian armored vehicles and troops yesterday. (Reuters, AP, AFP, ITAR-TASS, Interfax)
Ukraine's acting Foreign Minister Andriy Deshchytsya said in a U.S. television interview on March 23 that the chances of war between his country and Russia are growing.
Speaking on ABC-TV’s "This Week" program, Deshchytsya said: "We don't know what Putin has in his mind... That's why this situation is becoming even more explosive than it used to be a week ago."
The broadcast comes after Ukraine's acting President Oleksandr Turchynov demanded that Russia release the top Ukrainian military commander at the Belbek Air Force base near Sevastopol, who was "abducted" after it was stormed by Russian armored vehicles and troops yesterday. (Reuters, AP, AFP, ITAR-TASS, Interfax)
16:03
23.3.2014
Our Ukraine Service's coverage of pro-Russia rally in Simferopol in which participants say they want Viktor Yanukovych back as president.
У Сімферополі мітинг на підтримку півд. сходу України (відео)http://t.co/9aT96knwzH всі хочуть Януковича назад. А він вже й житло знайшов
— Радіо Свобода (@radiosvoboda) March 23, 2014
15:36
23.3.2014
WATCH: Crimean Tatar leader Refat Chubarov expresses solidarity with the Maidan in Kyiv (in Russian):