14:43
16.3.2014
Kremlin press service reporting that Vladimir Putin discussed Crimea with German Chancellor Angela Merkel today, and told her the vote in Crimea is in keeping with international law, citing Article 1 of the UN Charter. The Russian president also expressed his concerns about "radical groups" operating in eastern and southeastern Ukraine in cooperation with the Kyiv authorities.
The press statement also notes that Merkel, who initiated the call, congratulated Putin on the success of the Paralympic Games in Sochi.
For the record, here is Article 1 of the UN Charter:
Article 1
The Purposes of the United Nations are:
The press statement also notes that Merkel, who initiated the call, congratulated Putin on the success of the Paralympic Games in Sochi.
For the record, here is Article 1 of the UN Charter:
Article 1
The Purposes of the United Nations are:
To maintain international peace and security, and to that end: to take effective collective measures for the prevention and removal of threats to the peace, and for the suppression of acts of aggression or other breaches of the peace, and to bring about by peaceful means, and in conformity with the principles of justice and international law, adjustment or settlement of international disputes or situations which might lead to a breach of the peace;
To develop friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples, and to take other appropriate measures to strengthen universal peace;
To achieve international co-operation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian character, and in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion; and
To be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations in the attainment of these common ends.
To develop friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples, and to take other appropriate measures to strengthen universal peace;
To achieve international co-operation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian character, and in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion; and
To be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations in the attainment of these common ends.
14:48
16.3.2014
More from the scene at Donetsk Oblast Prosecutor-General's Office:
Прокуратуру штурмуют pic.twitter.com/v0Oe3P8OCP
— Новости Донбасса (@novostidnua) March 16, 2014
14:55
16.3.2014
#Ukraine Defense Minister Ihor Tenyukh on truce: "No measures will be taken against our military facilities in #Crimea during that time."
— Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) March 16, 2014
14:56
16.3.2014
Tweet alleging Russian artillery transported and positioned across Kerch Straight:
Переправлена через Керч російська артилерія, вже окопалась біля Армянська #SaveUkraine #CrimeaInvasion pic.twitter.com/YJC73xUQs8
— Hromadske.TV (@HromadskeTV) March 16, 2014
14:58
16.3.2014
Agencies relate the double-whammy from Putin in his phone conversation with Germany's Angela Merkel, vowing that Moscow will "respect" the choice of Crimean voters and expressing concern over tensions in Ukraine's south and southeast, which he says are being "inflamed by radical groups with the connivance of Kiyv's authorities."
15:01
16.3.2014
Acting Ukraine Defense Minister Tenyukh also says regarding the truce agreed with Moscow that Ukrainian military facilities on the peninsula are "therefore proceeding with a replenishment of reserves."
15:06
16.3.2014
Crimea's pro-Russian authorities say more than 50 percent of voters had cast ballots by early afternoon.
15:14
16.3.2014
Interfax reports:
More than 2,000 people are storming the Donetsk Regional Prosecutor's Office to demand the release of the self-proclaimed governor, Pavel Gubarev.
The demonstrators are chanting: "Russia!" "Gubarev!" "Berkut!" "Police Are One With the People!"
The demonstrators are chanting: "Russia!" "Gubarev!" "Berkut!" "Police Are One With the People!"
15:19
16.3.2014
The "Kyiv Post" quoted the breakaway Crimean authorities' deputy prime minister, Rustam Temirgaliyev, earlier today as saying that the thousands of barricaded Ukrainian soldiers in Crimea would have to swear an oath to Crimean authorities immediately after the referendum or leave.
That comment came ahead of the reported truce agreed between Kyiv and Moscow.
Temirgaliyev also said Crimean authorities were already taking preparatory steps to adopt the Russian ruble and transition away from the Ukrainian hryvnya within a year.
"We can allow them safe passage to Ukraine," he said. "But about 85 percent of Ukrainian troops have already joined Crimean forces."
That comment came ahead of the reported truce agreed between Kyiv and Moscow.
Temirgaliyev also said Crimean authorities were already taking preparatory steps to adopt the Russian ruble and transition away from the Ukrainian hryvnya within a year.
"In April, Russian rubles will start functioning here," he told journalists, adding that the Hryvnia will stay in use for a year.
15:24
16.3.2014
Perhaps needless to say, in remarks televised by Russian media, Crimea's pro-Moscow parliament speaker Vladimir Konstantinov and its Prime Minister Sergei Aksyonov appear confident.
"All is proceeding wonderfully," Konstantinov told Rossiya 24. "The turnout is good. It is high -- people are even lining up [to vote]. Everything is in order. We, Crimeans, are cool people, we are disciplined. We'll make it right. I was voting for our future."
Aksyonov said: "Today, the agenda of the development of the autonomy [Crimea] is already being discussed with our Russian colleagues [from the State Duma]. Tomorrow at 10 o'clock [Kyiv time] we will be holding a parliamentary session that will adopt the results of the referendum and a number of other organizational issues. I believe we will present a full program of actions within a day or two. All is clear for us. Now we need this thing to proceed quietly and nicely. We'll toast the whole thing tonight."
"All is proceeding wonderfully," Konstantinov told Rossiya 24. "The turnout is good. It is high -- people are even lining up [to vote]. Everything is in order. We, Crimeans, are cool people, we are disciplined. We'll make it right. I was voting for our future."
Aksyonov said: "Today, the agenda of the development of the autonomy [Crimea] is already being discussed with our Russian colleagues [from the State Duma]. Tomorrow at 10 o'clock [Kyiv time] we will be holding a parliamentary session that will adopt the results of the referendum and a number of other organizational issues. I believe we will present a full program of actions within a day or two. All is clear for us. Now we need this thing to proceed quietly and nicely. We'll toast the whole thing tonight."