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Russian President Vladimir Putin holds a news conference at his country residence of Novo-Ogaryova outside Moscow on March 4.
Russian President Vladimir Putin holds a news conference at his country residence of Novo-Ogaryova outside Moscow on March 4.

Live Blog: Ukraine On The Brink

Summary

-- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry arrived in Kyiv as U.S. officials announced Washington is preparing a $1 billion aid package for Ukraine.

-- Speaking at a press conference at his residence, Russian President Vladimir Putin has called the change of government in Ukraine an "unconstitutional overthrow and an armed seizure of power."

-- Putin also said there are no considerations to annex Crimea and no intentions to provoke separatist sentiment. He said it is up to the citizens of Crimea to determine their own future.

-- In Crimea, there are standoffs between Russian and Ukrainian troops in their bases, with conflicting reports of ultimatums given to Ukrainian troops to surrender that come and pass.

-- Russian Ambassador to the UN Vitaly Churkin has said that Ukraine's ousted President Viktor Yanukovych sent a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin requesting that he use the Russian military to restore law and order in his country.

-- In eastern Ukraine, pro-Russian demonstrators have occupied part of the regional government building in the city of Donetsk. Meanwhile, a few hundred pro-Russian activists tried but failed to force their way into the regional administration building in the southern city of Odesa.

NOTE: Live blog updates are listed according to local time in Kyiv

-- Glenn Kates / Luke Allnutt / Coilin O'Connor / Dan Wisniewski
20:05 18.2.2014
Rinat Akhmetov, a Donetsk-based businessman, and Ukraine's richest oligarch has issued a statement calling for an end to the bloodshed:

"Peaceful citizens must not suffer in any situation." he says. "This must be the main objective for the government, the opposition and all conflicting parties. Human losses and injuries suffered by protesters and law-enforcers during street clashes is an unacceptable price for political mistakes."
19:27 18.2.2014
19:14 18.2.2014
Two different possibilities for tonight:

1)

2)

19:10 18.2.2014
18:59 18.2.2014
The country's largest opposition TV channel is reported down.

18:36 18.2.2014
As clashes continue, here are two good livestreams from Independence Square:


18:00 18.2.2014
Riot police have begun their move on Independence Square. They appear to be using stun grenades and a water cannon.

17:34 18.2.2014
17:26 18.2.2014
Back at square one. In a deal with the government, protesters had vacated the city administration building over the weekend in exchange for amnesty for arrested protesters.

17:03 18.2.2014
Disturbing video, via our Ukrainian Service, of the two bodies found near Independence Square today.

At least five people apparently associated with demonstrations have been killed and the Interior Ministry says two police officers have died.

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