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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
15:15 18.2.2014
15:26 18.2.2014
15:44 18.2.2014
Statement by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton:

"I am deeply worried about the grave new escalation in Kiev and the reported victims. I condemn all use of violence, including against public or party buildings."
15:49 18.2.2014
16:04 18.2.2014
The Interior Ministry deadline has passed. Independence Square is surrounded by riot police as opposition members deliver speeches. No one knows what happens next.
16:07 18.2.2014
Opposition MP Lesya Orobets:

This day was well planned and prepared least a week in advance. Currently Kiev subway is stopped and all entrances are tightly locked. In Kiev, at least in some places (eg KPI hostel) has the internet off. In the capital, within a few hours, was effectively introduced a state of emergency, and one shall not tell me that all this was done without the plan and preparation. Anyone understands that the operation that captures the whole 4,000,000-city needs preparing for a few days at least, probably 2-3 weeks.

16:26 18.2.2014
As reported earlier, Kyiv authorities have completely shut down the city's underground Metro system tonight. This has made for angry and confused commuters.

16:34 18.2.2014
Our Belarusian Service reports that in Independence Square there is mass production of Molotov cocktails. Since violent clashes led to large scale protests in late-November, the square has been a largely peaceful gathering space. Many expect that to change in the coming hours.

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.

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.

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