13:58
8.3.2014
Novaya gazeta photo report of a mine field allegedly placed by Russian forces on Crimea border: http://t.co/HofOZ6LuJh
— Robert Coalson (@CoalsonR) March 8, 2014
13:52
8.3.2014
Meanwhile in Donetsk, RFE/RL's Tom Balmforth says a column of a few thousand pro-Russia demonstrators just walked down the city's central street from Lenin Square on their way to the regional administration building.
13:46
8.3.2014
Latest meme emerging from Moscow. Russians of military age traveling to Ukraine are being "beaten, tortured, and detained" by Ukrainian military and Rights Sector.
Here's a Facebook post by Russian nationalist Alksandr Dugin:
And meanwhile, Kremlin mouthpiece Sergei Markov claims war could be imminent
Here's a Facebook post by Russian nationalist Alksandr Dugin:
Post by Alexandr Dugin.
And meanwhile, Kremlin mouthpiece Sergei Markov claims war could be imminent
13:17
8.3.2014
Coming from Ankara, @s_sava says Crimea's history explains why the Tatars will not accept Russian rule in Crimea. pic.twitter.com/PDpSFgyk8v
— Glenn Kates (@gkates) March 8, 2014
13:13
8.3.2014
Visegrad states urge United States to increase natural gas exports to Europe in case of a Russian cutoff.
Via AP:
Via AP:
WASHINGTON (AP) — Four Central European nations are urging the United States to boost natural gas exports to Europe as a hedge against the possibility that Russia could cut off its supply of gas to Ukraine.
Ambassadors from Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic made their appeal Friday in a letter to House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio. A similar letter was expected to be sent to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.
The letter from the four nations, known as the Visegrad Group, asks for Congress to support speedier approval of natural gas exports, noting that the "presence of U.S. natural gas would be much welcome in Central and Eastern Europe."
Ambassadors from Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic made their appeal Friday in a letter to House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio. A similar letter was expected to be sent to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.
The letter from the four nations, known as the Visegrad Group, asks for Congress to support speedier approval of natural gas exports, noting that the "presence of U.S. natural gas would be much welcome in Central and Eastern Europe."
13:11
8.3.2014
WIre services reporting that Russia is threatening to freeze foreign military inspections, including those related to START Treaty.
And this, via AFP:
BREAKING: Russian news agencies: Moscow mulls freeze on US military inspections under arms control pact.
— The Associated Press (@AP) March 8, 2014
And this, via AFP:
"Russia is considering halting foreign inspections of its strategic weapons arsenal, including nuclear-capable missiles, in response to "threats" from the West over the Ukraine crisis, the defence ministry said Saturday.
"The unfounded threats towards Russia from the United States and NATO over its policy on Ukraine are seen by us as an unfriendly gesture that allows the declaration of force majeure circumstances," a high-ranking defence ministry official, who was not named, said in a statement to all Russian news agencies.
The inspections that could be halted are carried out in line with the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) with the United States and the Vienna Document between Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) member states."
"The unfounded threats towards Russia from the United States and NATO over its policy on Ukraine are seen by us as an unfriendly gesture that allows the declaration of force majeure circumstances," a high-ranking defence ministry official, who was not named, said in a statement to all Russian news agencies.
The inspections that could be halted are carried out in line with the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) with the United States and the Vienna Document between Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) member states."
13:06
8.3.2014
Ekho Moskvy interviews acting Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Deshchytsya
Министр ИД Украины - первое интервью российскому сми : http://t.co/kTN6ymIYYe
— Alexey Venediktov (@aavst) March 8, 2014
13:02
8.3.2014
RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service says Russians are blocking the "Crimea" ferry crossing.
Російські військові блокують поромну переправу «Крим» http://t.co/l92Tn5q2Of
— Радіо Свобода (@radiosvoboda) March 8, 2014
12:58
8.3.2014
The Russian Cinematographers Union issues statement in support of Ukraine:
"We, like you, are categorically against lies in the coverage of the crucial events in Ukraine, and even more so against the Russian military intervention in Ukraine...We are on the side of truth , and we are with you!"
12:46
8.3.2014
From AP - In Sochi, Ukrainian Paralympic Medalist Pleas For 'Independent Ukraine"
SOCHI, Russia (AP) — The first Ukrainian medalist of the Sochi Paralympics dedicated her achievement to "an independent Ukraine," appealing for peace as Russia intensifies its control of Crimea.
Olena Iurkovska claimed bronze in the first biathlon event on the first day of competition on Saturday — the women's 6 kilometer sitting competition.
After finishing behind Svetlana Konovalova of Russia, Iurkovska said: "I devote my first medal in Sochi to an independent Ukraine. Every time I race, it will be for Ukrainian independence and peace in my country."
Olena Iurkovska claimed bronze in the first biathlon event on the first day of competition on Saturday — the women's 6 kilometer sitting competition.
After finishing behind Svetlana Konovalova of Russia, Iurkovska said: "I devote my first medal in Sochi to an independent Ukraine. Every time I race, it will be for Ukrainian independence and peace in my country."