At a news conference Sunday in Chisinau with U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Victoria Nuland, Moldova's Foreign Minister Natalia Gherman spoke about keeping communication lines open between both Kyiv and Moscow:
"The fact that the Moldovan government recognizes the authorities in Kyiv means that we keep a permanent dialogue with our Ukrainian partners, but very important -- all controversial subjects are also discussed with out Russian partners, in a long lasting and constructive dialogue."
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It's a few days old, but this "Kyiv Post" article has fascinating details (and photographs) about the "loot" left behind by Ukraine's former officials after they fled, including a safe belonging to former Energy Minister Eduard Stavitsky that was allegedly stuffed with $5 million in cash.
Former Energy Minister Eduard Stavitsky
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Ukraine's Foreign Ministry responds to comments by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in which he suggested that the only way to resolve the crisis was by turning Ukraine into a federation in which its Russified regions would have broader rights, via AFP:
"We would like to urge Russia, before it presses its ultimatums on a sovereign and independent nation, to take note of the catastrophic state and complete powerlessness of its own ethnic minorities, including Ukrainians.
"Why not make other languages besides Russian into a state language -- including Ukrainian, the language of millions of Russian citizens?
"Stop preaching to others. And instead, start putting things right in your own country. After all, you have so many problems."
But in and around Belgorod, which sits a scant 40 miles from Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city and a likely target in case of an invasion, any increased military presence is largely kept out of the public eye. In a region that appears far from being on the brink of war, life continues as normal here, and many residents say they do not want war, dismissing reports of a buildup as rumors set to discredit Russia.
... "Show me the tanks first, show me anything here that proves all this, and then we can talk about an invasion,” said Pyotr Kudryavtsev, a retiree walking away from the tracks near the Vesyolaya Lopan station south of Belgorod, where scores of military vehicles were filmed being unloaded on March 12. Mr. Kudryavtsev, like other locals interviewed, denied this, saying that the heavy tracks in the mud close to the rails belonged to construction vehicles.
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Germany's "Der Spiegel" says Berlin is considering offering military support to some Eastern European members of NATO in response to Russia's annexation of Crimea. "Der Spiegel" said the Defense Ministry is ready to make available up to six aircraft for a strengthened air-patrolling mission in parts of Eastern Europe.
