10:46
7.5.2014
This is now absurd MT @clarissaward: Police left, pro-Russians take back #Mariupol town hall. #Ukraine flag goes down pic.twitter.com/FDssHLOSeW
— Bojan Pancevski (@bopanc) May 7, 2014
10:51
7.5.2014
Why did #Ukraine forces storm #Mariupol town hall (death-toll 5) only to withdraw next morning so rebels can retake it? cc @clarissaward
— Bojan Pancevski (@bopanc) May 7, 2014
@bopanc Good question! Perhaps they left to diffuse situation and will come back later
— Clarissa Ward (@clarissaward) May 7, 2014
11:11
7.5.2014
Not surprisingly, with coloring that matches that of the separatist symbol, the St. George's ribbon, this cat has become something of a "poster kitten" for anti-Kyiv activists on social media this morning:
— Антимайдан (@anti_maydan) May 7, 2014
11:14
7.5.2014
After violence in Odessa, #Ukraine Interior Ministry suggests holding soccer games only on weekdays and without fans: http://t.co/kMbKVocK93
— Paul Sonne (@PaulSonne) May 7, 2014
11:21
7.5.2014
Some economic news in from the wires:
Ukraine has received the first tranche of its $17 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) worth about $3.2 billion.
The National Bank of Ukraine said the money was received on May 6.
A bank spokesman said more than $1 billion was put in the country's foreign currency reserves and the rest went toward Ukraine's budget.
The IMF Executive Board approved the two-year standby loan on April 30.
Ukraine's treasury was virtually empty after President Viktor Yanukovych was ousted in February.
The country has high debts and faced a situation where it could default on its loans.
National Bank Chairman Stepan Kubiv said on May 5 that the first tranche of the IMF loan will send a "positive signal to foreign investors and domestic entrepreneurs."
Ukraine has received the first tranche of its $17 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) worth about $3.2 billion.
The National Bank of Ukraine said the money was received on May 6.
A bank spokesman said more than $1 billion was put in the country's foreign currency reserves and the rest went toward Ukraine's budget.
The IMF Executive Board approved the two-year standby loan on April 30.
Ukraine's treasury was virtually empty after President Viktor Yanukovych was ousted in February.
The country has high debts and faced a situation where it could default on its loans.
National Bank Chairman Stepan Kubiv said on May 5 that the first tranche of the IMF loan will send a "positive signal to foreign investors and domestic entrepreneurs."
11:37
7.5.2014
Report that fighting continues in Slavyansk. Ukraine reports 4 soldiers killed and 22 wounded
— bruce springnote (@BSpringnote) May 7, 2014
11:40
7.5.2014
RFE/RL's news desk has issued this item on some of the geopolitical ramifications of the Ukraine crisis:
NATO's top military commander says the alliance must consider permanently stationing troops in parts of Eastern Europe as a result of tensions between Russia and Ukraine.
U.S. Air Force General Philip Breedlove said on May 6 that the issue will be discussed by NATO commanders, defense ministers, and foreign ministers in the run-up to a summit in Wales in early September.
NATO's short-term agreements to rotate land, sea, and air forces in places like the Baltics, Romania, and Poland are expiring at the end of 2014.
The alliance has deployed additional forces in the Baltics and Poland in response to Russia's annexation of the Crimea peninsula and the deployment of tens of thousands of Russian troops on Russia's border with Ukraine.
NATO officials have said recently that Russia can no longer be viewed as a potential partner, but rather, must be seen as an adversary.
U.S. Air Force General Philip Breedlove said on May 6 that the issue will be discussed by NATO commanders, defense ministers, and foreign ministers in the run-up to a summit in Wales in early September.
NATO's short-term agreements to rotate land, sea, and air forces in places like the Baltics, Romania, and Poland are expiring at the end of 2014.
The alliance has deployed additional forces in the Baltics and Poland in response to Russia's annexation of the Crimea peninsula and the deployment of tens of thousands of Russian troops on Russia's border with Ukraine.
NATO officials have said recently that Russia can no longer be viewed as a potential partner, but rather, must be seen as an adversary.
11:42
7.5.2014
Interesting tweet from the Polish foreign minister:
Mustafa Dzhemilev, leader of Crimean Tatars and Ukrainian MP is the first laureate of Poland's Solidarity Award.
— Radosław Sikorski (@sikorskiradek) May 7, 2014
11:53
7.5.2014
Donetsk and Russian flags are up again over city administration building in #Mariupol
— Sarah Rainsford (@sarahrainsford) May 7, 2014
12:14
7.5.2014
The "Kyiv Post" has been reporting on how Russia is already starting to feel the pinch thanks to Western sanctions:
Read more here
Still, despite the light sanctions so far from Western democracies, Russia has suffered more than $50 billion capital flight in the first three months of the year, a nine percent ruble devaluation and a mild recession.
The military invasion and annexation of Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula in March, followed by Russia’s support of separatists in Ukraine’s southeastern regions, is spooking investors. Investors are seeking alternative places for their capital since Russian securities do not look too attractive in light of possible introduction of harder sanctions by the West.
The military invasion and annexation of Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula in March, followed by Russia’s support of separatists in Ukraine’s southeastern regions, is spooking investors. Investors are seeking alternative places for their capital since Russian securities do not look too attractive in light of possible introduction of harder sanctions by the West.
Read more here