12:43
13.3.2014
Russian Military Holds More Exercises Near Ukrainian Border
The Russian military is conducting exercises in its Southern Military District near Ukraine.
Russia's Defense Ministry said today that some 8,500 troops would take part in the drills, which include artillery and multiple-rocket launchers.
According to the Defense Ministry's website, the exercise is aimed at coordinating actions between artillery, mechanized and tank units, paratroopers, and marines.
The Defense Ministry said the exercises were already under way and that half the drills would be conducted at night.
There was no information about how long the exercises would last.
The exercise follows previous Russian military exercises near the Ukrainian border that ended on March 4.
Russia denied any link between the first exercises and the Ukraine crisis.
The Russian military is conducting exercises in its Southern Military District near Ukraine.
Russia's Defense Ministry said today that some 8,500 troops would take part in the drills, which include artillery and multiple-rocket launchers.
According to the Defense Ministry's website, the exercise is aimed at coordinating actions between artillery, mechanized and tank units, paratroopers, and marines.
The Defense Ministry said the exercises were already under way and that half the drills would be conducted at night.
There was no information about how long the exercises would last.
The exercise follows previous Russian military exercises near the Ukrainian border that ended on March 4.
Russia denied any link between the first exercises and the Ukraine crisis.
12:38
13.3.2014
"The Washington Post" says seven U.S. senators plan to visit Ukraine this weekend to hold talks with the country's news leadership:
Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), who is leading the delegation, confirmed to reporters that he and "a large number" of senators of both parties would be making the trip. He declined to give names, but the full delegation includes McCain and Sens. John Barasso (R-Wyo.), Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.), Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Christopher Murphy (D-Conn.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), according to aides familiar with the plans.
Ukraine's political leaders reportedly invited McCain and other senators to come and show support for their country in its standoff with Russia.
12:36
13.3.2014
OECD Postpones Russia Membership Process
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) says it's postponing the process for Russia to join the organization.
The OECD said in a written statement that it was postponing activities toward Russia’s membership "at the request" of the organization’s member nations.
The statement also said OECD members had agreed to strengthen cooperation with Ukraine to help Kyiv address "public policy challenges."
No further details about cooperation with Ukraine, which is not an OECD member, were given.
The Paris-based OECD's membership includes 34 mostly Western, economically advanced countries.
In 2007, the OECD invited Russia to start talks on possible membership.
Accession involves meeting the OECD's economic and social development policy standards.
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) says it's postponing the process for Russia to join the organization.
The OECD said in a written statement that it was postponing activities toward Russia’s membership "at the request" of the organization’s member nations.
The statement also said OECD members had agreed to strengthen cooperation with Ukraine to help Kyiv address "public policy challenges."
No further details about cooperation with Ukraine, which is not an OECD member, were given.
The Paris-based OECD's membership includes 34 mostly Western, economically advanced countries.
In 2007, the OECD invited Russia to start talks on possible membership.
Accession involves meeting the OECD's economic and social development policy standards.
12:18
13.3.2014
Young Crimeans graduating from school this year will be able to enroll in Russian universities without entrance exams.
Lifenews quotes Viktor Ohanesyan, the head of Sevastopol's education and science department, as saying even students with poor grades will be able to study in Russia.
"Of course, the conservatory is not going to accept 2,000 students, and a '2' grade doesn't get you into the Moscow State University," he said. "But Rossotrudnichestvo and the education ministry promised us that absolutely all graduates, not only those with the best results, will be accepted in Russian universities on the basis of an interview."
Lifenews quotes Viktor Ohanesyan, the head of Sevastopol's education and science department, as saying even students with poor grades will be able to study in Russia.
"Of course, the conservatory is not going to accept 2,000 students, and a '2' grade doesn't get you into the Moscow State University," he said. "But Rossotrudnichestvo and the education ministry promised us that absolutely all graduates, not only those with the best results, will be accepted in Russian universities on the basis of an interview."
12:13
13.3.2014
More news in from the wires:
Ukraine's parliament has voted unanimously to create a new National Guard of some 60,000 volunteers as thousands of Russian forces occupy Crimea.
Acting President Oleksandr Turchynov had asked parliament to form a National Guard to defend the country "against external and internal aggression."
Ukraine's Interior Minister will directly lead the new military unit, while the commander of the National Guard, who will be nominated by the president and approved by parliament, will be responsible for the unit's military activities.
Ukraine's parliament has also just endorsed a document that appeals to the UN to discuss Russia's occupation of Crimea, citing the "flagrant violation by the Russian Federation of the fundamental principles of international law."
The document also confirmed that Ukraine seeks deeper integration with the European Union. (UNIAN, AFP, Reuters)
Ukraine's parliament has voted unanimously to create a new National Guard of some 60,000 volunteers as thousands of Russian forces occupy Crimea.
Acting President Oleksandr Turchynov had asked parliament to form a National Guard to defend the country "against external and internal aggression."
Ukraine's Interior Minister will directly lead the new military unit, while the commander of the National Guard, who will be nominated by the president and approved by parliament, will be responsible for the unit's military activities.
Ukraine's parliament has also just endorsed a document that appeals to the UN to discuss Russia's occupation of Crimea, citing the "flagrant violation by the Russian Federation of the fundamental principles of international law."
The document also confirmed that Ukraine seeks deeper integration with the European Union. (UNIAN, AFP, Reuters)
11:32
13.3.2014
Levada polls Russians: Who's legit authority in Ukraine? There's none, anarchy reigns: 62% Yanuk: 15% New govt: 11% http://t.co/QoBWwsIiHL
— KyivPost (@KyivPost) March 13, 2014
11:28
13.3.2014
79% of Russians polled by the Levada Center support joining the Crimea, but does not want to fight most http://t.co/yZlHz173wf
- Pavel Sheremet (@ pavelsheremet) March 13, 2014
11:28
13.3.2014
"We are a united people, we are a united country."
Crimean Tatars protest Russia's takeover of their region with this video clip. The song is by popular Ukrainian rock band Okean Elzy.
Crimean Tatars protest Russia's takeover of their region with this video clip. The song is by popular Ukrainian rock band Okean Elzy.
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11:20
13.3.2014
Levada poll: 67% of surveyed Russians say "radical Ukrainian nationalists" responsible for events in #crimea http://t.co/K52h093Upq
— Glenn Kates (@gkates) March 13, 2014
11:19
13.3.2014
According to Levada, 63% of Russians think media covg. of Ukraine has been objective/mostly objective http://t.co/K52h093Upq via @CoalsonR
— Glenn Kates (@gkates) March 13, 2014