14:29
20.3.2014
!!! BREAKING NEWS !!!
In a special session, Russia's State Duma has ratified a treaty making Crimea part of the Russian Federation. The agreement is due to be considered by the upper house of parliament tomorrow.
14:47
20.3.2014
445 - 1. Ilya Ponomaryov, from A Just Russia, was the only lawmaker to vote against Crimea's annexation.
The best intentions have led us to a big political mistake: I vote against the war.
The best intentions have led us to a big political mistake: I vote against the war.
Лучшие намерения привели нас к большой политической ошибке: голосую против войны. / / Итоги голосования о присое.. http://t.co/5V2u6pQzVp
— Ilya Ponomarev (@iponomarev) March 20, 2014
15:05
20.3.2014
Russia is now voicing concern for its Russian-speakers in Estonia. Russia's envoy has told a UN Human Rights Council session:
Languague should not be used for the separation and isolation of groups of people. Russia has been concerned about steps taken in this respect in Estonia as well as in Ukraine.
15:24
20.3.2014
Don't want to share a hotel with Russian tourists? Two Ukrainians have set up this website to check hotels for Russian presence. One of the site's creators says "all those who have even once stayed in a hotel with many Russians know why we are launching this useful service."
15:32
20.3.2014
Some more news from the wires:
France is delaying a decision on whether to suspend the sale of two advanced warships to Russia in response to the annexation of Ukraine's Crimea.
French Defense Ministry Jean-Yves Le Drian said on March 20 that a decision on a possible suspension of the 1.2 billion euro ($1.4 billion) contract need not be made before October when the first ship is due to be delivered.
Le Drian also said that a suspension of the contract could only happen as part of a larger package of EU economic sanctions against Russia.
France's decision in 2011 to sell the two Mistral-class helicopter-carriers to Russia triggered protests from its NATO allies.
On March 20, Russia warned that it would demand compensation if the deal was scrapped.
Russian officials also said France's image as a reliable arms supplier will be damaged. (AFP, Reuters)
French Defense Ministry Jean-Yves Le Drian said on March 20 that a decision on a possible suspension of the 1.2 billion euro ($1.4 billion) contract need not be made before October when the first ship is due to be delivered.
Le Drian also said that a suspension of the contract could only happen as part of a larger package of EU economic sanctions against Russia.
France's decision in 2011 to sell the two Mistral-class helicopter-carriers to Russia triggered protests from its NATO allies.
On March 20, Russia warned that it would demand compensation if the deal was scrapped.
Russian officials also said France's image as a reliable arms supplier will be damaged. (AFP, Reuters)
15:34
20.3.2014
Ukrainian serviceman Sergiy Kokurin, shot dead by pro-Russian forces during the March 18 raid on a Ukrainian navy base in Simferopol.
Сергій Кокурін,якого вбили снайпери під час штурму в/ч в Сімферополі.Допоможемо родині.Приватбанк 5168 7553 6238 9468 pic.twitter.com/aww7vcvdij
— Oksana Kovalenko (@superumka) March 20, 2014
15:35
20.3.2014
French President Francois Hollande says the planned European Union-Russia summit in June will be canceled because of Russia's seizure of Ukraine's Crimea. Hollande was speaking on his arrival for an EU summit in Brussels.
15:44
20.3.2014
Growing anti-US sentiment in Russia, according to the independent Levada polling center.
Russians who see US negatively, via @levada_ru: March 2012: 35% March 2013: 39% January 2014: 44% March 2014: 56% http://t.co/L35JLJ2UX0
— Kirit Radia (@KiritRadia) March 20, 2014
15:52
20.3.2014
Speaking at a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says he’s "deeply concerned" about the crisis over Russia's seizure of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula.
Ban is due to meet with Ukrainian leaders in Kyiv on March 21.
The UN has said Ban hopes to persuade the Russian and Ukrainian sides to start a direct dialogue to ensure a political solution. The world body also says a 34-member UN human rights monitoring mission is expected to deploy in eastern Ukraine by March 21 to check for abuses.
Ban is due to meet with Ukrainian leaders in Kyiv on March 21.
The UN has said Ban hopes to persuade the Russian and Ukrainian sides to start a direct dialogue to ensure a political solution. The world body also says a 34-member UN human rights monitoring mission is expected to deploy in eastern Ukraine by March 21 to check for abuses.
15:56
20.3.2014
The Brueghel think tank has published a nice infographic on the possible cost of sanctions against Russia.