10:00
31.3.2014
Simferopol. Today Government will meet here to discuss development in #Crimea. Streaming on @GovernmentRF
— Dmitry Medvedev (@MedvedevRussiaE) March 31, 2014
10:04
31.3.2014
Our newsdesk has just issued this on Medvedev's trip to Crimea:
Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev is visiting Crimea in the highest-level formal visit from Moscow since Russia seized the territory from Ukraine.
Medvedev said on Twitter that he is in Simferopol and that "today the government will discuss the development of Crimea here."
News agencies say Medvedev arrived at the head of a major Russian delegation of ministers and deputy prime ministers and is set to chair a meeting over the social and economic development of Crimea. (Reuters, AFP)
Medvedev said on Twitter that he is in Simferopol and that "today the government will discuss the development of Crimea here."
News agencies say Medvedev arrived at the head of a major Russian delegation of ministers and deputy prime ministers and is set to chair a meeting over the social and economic development of Crimea. (Reuters, AFP)
11:14
31.3.2014
Made in Kiev & somewhat dubious stats in places, but overall this chart a strong summary of why Crimea is not Kosovo pic.twitter.com/XucXph20GS
— Shaun Walker (@shaunwalker7) March 31, 2014
11:32
31.3.2014
The most popular story on "The Moscow Times" website right now is about how the Crimea crisis is hitting St. Petersburg's tourist industry.
11:54
31.3.2014
#Russia push for federalization of #Ukraine seems admission that no pro #Kremlin candidate can win presidential race, esp w/o Crimea voting
— David M. Herszenhorn (@herszenhorn) March 31, 2014
12:01
31.3.2014
Medvedev in #Crimea: "We have to be sure swindlers don't take advantage of this new state." http://t.co/9VIwfTuDLW pic.twitter.com/XvISd7OyW4
— Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) March 31, 2014
12:02
31.3.2014
Among other things, #Russia PM Medvedev says govt should work to develop famous Crimean wine vineyards.
— Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) March 31, 2014
12:10
31.3.2014
Another update from RFE/RL's newsdesk:
Russia is working on introducing its own plastic payment card after Visa and MasterCard introduced limitations on some Russian banks as a result of U.S. and European sanctions.
The Chief of Russia's Sberbank, German Gref, told President Vladimir Putin on March 31 that the new national payment system could be introduced six months after relevant legislation is approved by lawmakers.
Gref said a draft law on the issue already has been sent to Russia's parliament.
He said all Russian banks would be invited to be partners of a new payment company called "Universal Electronic Card."
He said the company would serve all transactions between Russian banks. (Interfax, ITAR-TASS)
The Chief of Russia's Sberbank, German Gref, told President Vladimir Putin on March 31 that the new national payment system could be introduced six months after relevant legislation is approved by lawmakers.
Gref said a draft law on the issue already has been sent to Russia's parliament.
He said all Russian banks would be invited to be partners of a new payment company called "Universal Electronic Card."
He said the company would serve all transactions between Russian banks. (Interfax, ITAR-TASS)
12:43
31.3.2014
RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service has been talking to pro-Ukrainian activists in the city of Sumy, near the country's eastern border. They say they're ready to defend Ukraine in the event of a Russian incursion:
12:56
31.3.2014
RFE/RL's newsdesk has issued this item on Dmitry Medvedev's remarks in Crimea today:
Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said in Crimea that Moscow will make the region a special economic zone in order to attract investors.
Visiting Simferopol today as the head of a delegation with top Russian ministry officials, Medvedev said Moscow's goal is to enable Crimea "to generate sufficient income for its own development."
Medvedev's visit to Crimea is the highest-level official visit from Moscow since Russia seized the territory from Ukraine. (Reuters, Interfax)
Visiting Simferopol today as the head of a delegation with top Russian ministry officials, Medvedev said Moscow's goal is to enable Crimea "to generate sufficient income for its own development."
Medvedev's visit to Crimea is the highest-level official visit from Moscow since Russia seized the territory from Ukraine. (Reuters, Interfax)