11:14
7.3.2014
11:13
7.3.2014
Poles protest against Russian actions in Crimea outside a LukOil gas station:
11:11
7.3.2014
"The Moscow Times" reports that a lone protester, a 75-year-old survivor of the Nazi blockade of Leningrad has been detained at an antiwar rally in St. Petersburg. Igor Andreyev was holding a sign reading "Peace To The World" in protest against the use of Russian military force in Crimea. Controversial St. Petersburg lawmaker Vitaly Mironov reportedly personally pulled the sign from Andreyev's hands and accused him of "supporting fascism."
11:04
7.3.2014
A sound bite from Duma Speaker Sergei Naryshkin, meeting today in Moscow with representatives of the parliament of Crimea:
"We realize that this decision was made as a result of the acute political crisis that is taking place in Ukraine, and it is connected with the effort to ensure the rights and freedoms of citizens, simply to protect human lives."
And here is something from Valentina Matviyenko, head of the Federation Council:
"Without a doubt, the Crimean parliament, as a legitimate authority, has that right. No one has abolished the sovereign right of the people to self-determination."
"The decision of the parliament of Autonomous Republic of Crimea on holding a referendum is an internationally recognized practice. It is enough to look at the Scotland's experience that has scheduled a referendum on its independence in September [2014], and there are many other examples. The Crimean parliament has chosen the most democratic form -- holding a referendum as the highest form of expressing the people's free will."
"If the people of Crimea make the decision in the referendum to join Russia, we, as the upper house of the parliament, will unconditionally support such a decision."
"We realize that this decision was made as a result of the acute political crisis that is taking place in Ukraine, and it is connected with the effort to ensure the rights and freedoms of citizens, simply to protect human lives."
And here is something from Valentina Matviyenko, head of the Federation Council:
"Without a doubt, the Crimean parliament, as a legitimate authority, has that right. No one has abolished the sovereign right of the people to self-determination."
"The decision of the parliament of Autonomous Republic of Crimea on holding a referendum is an internationally recognized practice. It is enough to look at the Scotland's experience that has scheduled a referendum on its independence in September [2014], and there are many other examples. The Crimean parliament has chosen the most democratic form -- holding a referendum as the highest form of expressing the people's free will."
"If the people of Crimea make the decision in the referendum to join Russia, we, as the upper house of the parliament, will unconditionally support such a decision."
10:48
7.3.2014
United Russia Duma Deputy Yevgeny Fedorov is preparing the new law on criminal charges against those heads and editors of the media who "allow to publish false anti-Russian information, give informational support to the extremist and separatist forces of anti-Russian character, including covering the events outside Russia".
A new amendment to the Criminal Code that makes anti-Russian publications a state crime will be added to Chapter 10, "Crimes against the state power," that also includes articles on espionage, state treason, revolt and Article 282 -- inciting hatred.
A new amendment to the Criminal Code that makes anti-Russian publications a state crime will be added to Chapter 10, "Crimes against the state power," that also includes articles on espionage, state treason, revolt and Article 282 -- inciting hatred.
10:39
7.3.2014
Crimea's parliament speaker speaking in Russia's Federation Council upper house:
Konstantinov: We'll do everything possible for Ukrainian army to leave bases peacefully if they dont want to recognize new powers
— Paul Sonne (@PaulSonne) March 7, 2014
10:36
7.3.2014
From the wires:
The heads of Russia's parliamentary chambers have expressed support for a drive by Crimea's pro-Moscow authorities toward leaving Ukraine and joining the Russian Federation. Sergei Naryshkin, the speaker of the State Duma, said the lower house will respect the Crimeans' "historic choice." Valentina Matviyenko, the head of the upper chamber -- the Federation Council -- said the Crimean parliament has the "right" to hold a plebiscite on the region's future status and said the council will "support" unification with Russia. Both Naryshkin and Matviyenko were speaking after meetings with a delegation led by Volodymyr Konstantynov, the speaker of Crimea's legislative body. The Crimean parliament on Thursday voted in favor of the region becoming part of Russia and scheduled a referendum for March 16. The move came after Russian forces occupied key positions in Crimea, which hosts Russia's Black Sea Fleet.
10:24
7.3.2014
“@danielrhamilton: @RT_com has updated maps to show #Crimea as part of Russia. pic.twitter.com/qBY4pB1bV7 #Ukraine” Always first with the news
— Roger Boyes (@rogerboyes) March 7, 2014
10:23
7.3.2014
Matvienko back on Scotland, decrying "double standards" of west. (Seems crucially to forget London sanctioned referendum in Scotland)
— Paul Sonne (@PaulSonne) March 7, 2014
10:04
7.3.2014
Valentina Matvienko compares #Crimea parliament decision to Scotland - internationally accepted means of acting on people's will.
— Paul Sonne (@PaulSonne) March 7, 2014