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

March 03, 2014 07:43 CET

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

11:29 4.3.2014

#Ukraine parliament debating increased autonomy for #Crimea as a solution to confrontation with Russia. #TV4
— Stefan Borg (@stefanborg) March 4, 2014

11:37 4.3.2014

From the wires:

Gazprom chief Aleksei Miller says Moscow intends to end a gas-price discount for Ukraine starting in April. Miller was quoted by Russian news agencies as saying Ukraine told Gazprom on Monday it can't pay for its February gas allottment in full. Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said Tuesday that "those who don't pay for goods supplied must understand they will face consequences." But Medvedev said he will instruct the Finance Ministry to look into the possibility of extending a $2 billion to $3 billion loan to Ukraine to help it cover its gas debt. In December, Russia agreed to reduce gas prices for Ukraine by about one-third, from about $400 to $268.50 per 1,000 cubic meters. The gas discount deal was made after ousted President Viktor Yanukovych spurned an EU trade deal in favor of closer ties to Moscow.

11:56 4.3.2014

Putin: Russia reserves right to use all options if there is lawlessness in eastern part of Ukraine
— Steve Rosenberg (@BBCSteveR) March 4, 2014

11:57 4.3.2014

Vladimir Putin: Russia only "reinforced the defense of its facilities."
— Mark MacKinnon (@markmackinnon) March 4, 2014

11:58 4.3.2014

Putin just spitting defiance at Obama and the West--says "you cannot encourage illegal change in the post-Soviet space."
— Terry Moran (@TerryMoran) March 4, 2014

11:59 4.3.2014

Vladimir Putin: Not seeking to conquer anyone, it's a humanitarian mission. But we will not be indifferent to events in Ukraine.
— Mark MacKinnon (@markmackinnon) March 4, 2014

11:59 4.3.2014

Putin pauses presser for a sec as someone's phone goes off, in the most Russian moment of this crisis so far
— max seddon (@maxseddon) March 4, 2014

12:00 4.3.2014

#Putin on sanctions: Those who plan to impose sanctions, have to think of future impact. Losses will be on both sides.
— Myroslava Petsa (@myroslavapetsa) March 4, 2014

12:03 4.3.2014

Vladimir Putin: of course the new Crimean PM is legitimate. Because they followed the law.
— Mark MacKinnon (@markmackinnon) March 4, 2014

12:03 4.3.2014

Oh my. Vladimir Putin denying Russian troops in Crimea. Says men in green there are "local self-defense forces."
— Mark MacKinnon (@markmackinnon) March 4, 2014

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Live Blog: Ukraine On The Brink