12:25
5.4.2014
A flash mob in Kyiv:
12:21
5.4.2014
From RFE/RL's News Desk:
Gazprom chief Aleksei Miller has questioned the technical possibilities of reversing the flow of gas through pipeline systems and redirecting supplies from European Union countries to Ukraine, news agencies report. Miller appeared on the Rossia-24 television channel Saturday and said the idea of a reversing the flow of gas in Europe would be difficult since currently Europe's gas pipelines take gas from the east and send it west. Miller said if it is possible to redirect Russian gas coming into Europe back toward Ukraine then there are legal questions that need to be answered. Russia raised the price of its gas to Ukraine from $285.5 per 1,000 cubic to $485.5 this week. EU countries are still paying just under $400 for supplies of Russian gas.
12:16
5.4.2014
From RFE/RL's News Desk:
Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk has accused Russia of "economic aggression" and threatened to sue Russia over recent price hikes for gas supplies, news agencies report. Yatsenyuk told a government meeting Saturday "Russia was unable to seize Ukraine by means of military aggression. Now they are implementing plans to seize Ukraine through economic aggression." Yatsenyuk's comments come after Russia twice this last week raised the price of gas for Ukraine, taking the cost for Ukraine from $285.5 per 1,000 cubic meters at the start of this last week to $485.5 by the end of the week. Ukraine's Minister of Energy and Coal Industry Yuriy Prodan said attempts will continue to reach an acceptable gas price with Russia but if that fails Ukraine will take the matter to arbitration court in Stockholm.
12:01
5.4.2014
Via Reuters:
KIEV, April 5 (Reuters) - Ukrainian Energy Minister Yuri Prodan said on Saturday Kiev was still in negotiations with Moscow over reducing the price it pays for gas but will turn to an arbitration court if those talks fail to cut the cost of Russian gas.
Moscow raised its gas tariff for Kiev twice this week, almost doubling it in three days in moves Kiev said were political.
Moscow raised its gas tariff for Kiev twice this week, almost doubling it in three days in moves Kiev said were political.
11:59
5.4.2014
Photo of a pro-Kyiv demonstration at a shopping mall in Odesa.
In Odesa right now: [A pro-Ukrainian rally at the local mall Athena, photo by Lera Dunayeva,... http://t.co/FmZKP9pn5k
— English EuroMaidan (@EuroMaidanEN) April 5, 2014
11:57
5.4.2014
Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseny Yatsenyuk says Kyiv is prepared to pay Russia a gas price of $268 per 1,000 cubic meters, as per prior agreements. He also says Ukraine will take its case to an arbutration court in Stockholm if agreement is not reached, "Ukrainska Pravda" reports.
11:54
5.4.2014
Yatsenyuk orders government to prepare for possible closure of Russian gas supplies.
Via "Ukrainska Pravda":
Яценюк велів приготуватися до закриття Росією поставок газу | Українська правда http://t.co/W9k9oz646l
— Українська правда (@ukrpravda_news) April 5, 2014
Via "Ukrainska Pravda":
Ukrainian Prime Minister Yatsenyuk has ordered the government to prepare for scenarios, including the closure of Russian gas supplies to Ukraine. "Our task is to consider two scenarios, including the scenario where Russia closes or restricts gas supplies to Ukraine," Yatsenyuk told a special cabinet meeting.
11:46
5.4.2014
#Ukraine cabinet meeting on Saturday, Energy Min says Kiev to go to arbitration court if talks with #Russia fail to result in gas price cut
— Thomas Grove (@tggrove) April 5, 2014
11:46
5.4.2014
Batkivschina party member Kuzel says "all corrupt schemes of the previous authorities are still working now"
— bruce springnote (@BSpringnote) April 5, 2014
11:18
5.4.2014
RFE/RL's Rim Gilfanov and Merkhat Sharipzhan discuss Russia's looming Crimean Tatar problem on this week's Power Vertical Podcast.
Russia's largest ethnic minority just got larger.
With Moscow's annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula, hundreds of thousands of Tatars have suddenly become reluctant Russian citizens. They aren't happy and they're getting feisty -- rejecting Russia's overtures and pushing for their own referendum on autonomy.
And Russia's looming Crimean Tatar problem comes at a time when Moscow's relations with its existing 5 million-strong Tatar minority are becoming increasingly tense.
The Kremlin is celebrating its annexation of Crimea as a patriotic victory and evidence of Russia's revival. But will it come at the cost of yet another ethnic conflict?
With Moscow's annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula, hundreds of thousands of Tatars have suddenly become reluctant Russian citizens. They aren't happy and they're getting feisty -- rejecting Russia's overtures and pushing for their own referendum on autonomy.
And Russia's looming Crimean Tatar problem comes at a time when Moscow's relations with its existing 5 million-strong Tatar minority are becoming increasingly tense.
The Kremlin is celebrating its annexation of Crimea as a patriotic victory and evidence of Russia's revival. But will it come at the cost of yet another ethnic conflict?