Accessibility links

Breaking News
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
08:46 23.2.2014
Members of the Berkut have reportedly used their official VKontakte page to appeal to families in Belarus and Russia to shelter them.
08:47 23.2.2014
09:09 23.2.2014
CCTV footage of Yanukovych apparently fleeing.


09:25 23.2.2014
With the status of Russia's $15 billion bailout unknown, the U.S. and IMF say they are ready to help. From AFP and ITAR-TASS:

The United States and the International Monetary Fund have offered to help Ukraine rebuild its economy a day after Ukraine’s parliament voted to oust President Viktor Yanukovych.

Fears that Ukraine’s debt-laden economy is facing default have sparked panic on markets – with Ukraine’s bond yields rising sharply and its hryvnia currency losing a tenth of its value in recent weeks.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew pledged support, provided reforms are carried out, after he met Sunday with Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov on the sidelines of a G20 summit in Sydney.

IMF chief Christine Lagarde said the IMF was also ready to assist, if Ukrainian authorities were to ask for IMF support.

Siluanov said Sunday that Russia will decide whether to disburse the next tranche of a $15 billion bailout it offered to Yanukovych soon after Ukraine forms a new government.
10:18 23.2.2014


Fascinating exchange between some Euromaidan security activists and opposition leaders Arseniy Yatsenyuk and Yulia Tymoshenko, which encapsulates the divide and suspicions between the street and Ukraine's political opposition.

Self Defense 1: We are a little concerned about how you drove in here. You have guards, we understand, but we want to build a new Ukraine

Yatsenyuk: You are right.

Self Defense 1: …where there won’t be any cronies…

Yatesnyuk: I agree with you.


Self Defense 1: We set up a general entrance over there; you dashed in here, ok. We could have asked you to leave.

Yatsenyuk: I will know next time.

Self defense: That is, we want to remind you about motorcades and all that.

Yatsenyuk: I completely agree with you.

Self defense: We are all Ukrainian people, and the law is the same for everyone.

Yatsenyuk: Thank you.

Self Defense 2: And one more question, may I? Look, your people were driving in, I won’t say who…

Yatsenyuk: Tell me who.

Others: The press secretary…

Self Defense 2: …And she is telling our person who’s twice her age, “You are bullshitting me.” Excuse me, we are not bullshitting anyone.

Yatsenyuk: I will tell you that…

Self Defense 2: We could simply not let her in, she would have to walk after all this.

Yatsenyuk: We will, we will punish everyone…

Self Defense 2: Simply, the attitude toward the people should be respectful.

Yatsenyuk: Absolutely…

Self Defense 2: You are not yet in power, and are already condescending.

Yatsenyuk: Absolutely. And for this you were standing [in Maidan], you were fighting…

Voice: Not YOU – WE did.

Yatsenyuk: Yes, you, we, of course.

Self-Defense stopping Tymoshenko’s car: “Stop, stop, stop.”

Voice: Yulia Volodymyrivna, remember who carried out this revolution, don’t forget!

Tymoshenko: Yes, yes.

Voice: Yulia, don’t let people down, I’m begging you!

Tymoshenko: By no means, believe me. This is what’s most important to me, you should know this. Glory to Ukraine!

Voices: Glory to heroes!

Self Defense: Let them go now.

Shouts “Glory to Ukraine! Glory to Heroes!” Singing the anthem.

Translation provided by Euromaidan PR
10:36 23.2.2014
10:43 23.2.2014
From the wires:
Ukraine's parliamentary speaker sets Tuesday deadline for the formation of national unity government. Parliament votes to hand Yanukovych's residence to state.
10:47 23.2.2014
BREAKING: Ukraine has a new acting head of state.

10:51 23.2.2014
Our Ukrainian Service has a handy map on the Lenin statues that have been toppled around the country.
11:05 23.2.2014
From the wires:

Ukraine's parliament has voted to dismiss Foreign Minister Leonid Kozhara.

Load more

XS
SM
MD
LG