10:22
27.3.2014
From our newsroom, based on Reuters and AP reports. Our own service adds that Kyiv will also urge the UN General Assembly to recommend the demilitarization of Crimea.
Ukrainian officials say they expect the UN General Assembly to solidly approve a resolution today that affirms Ukraine's territorial integrity and calls illegal the referendum held in Crimea on joining Russia. Ukrainian Ambassador to the UN Yuriy Sergeyev told the AP that the resolution has dozens of co-sponsors and the support of many democratic countries. Russia's UN delegation is campaigning against the resolution. Sergeyev said he has spoken to many UN member states and explained that Russia violated the UN Charter that guarantees the sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries. UN General Assembly resolutions are nonbinding but cannot be vetoed -- something Russia did to a similar resolution in the UN Security Council last week. Diplomats say Russia's leverage with many countries means there could be a large number of abstentions when the vote is taken.
10:09
27.3.2014
The White House has released a press statement welcoming the IMF's tentative agreement on new assistance to Ukraine as a "powerful sign of support." From the statement:
The United States welcomes the preliminary agreement between the Government of Ukraine and International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff on a loan program of $14-18 billion. This represents a powerful sign of support from the international community for the Ukrainian government, as we help them stabilize and grow their economy, and move their democracy forward. The agreement is expected to unlock roughly $27 billion in total support from the international community for Ukraine's people over the next two years, as the country implements historic reforms to address long-standing problems that have undermined Ukraine’s economic strength and prosperity. It is important now for both the Government of Ukraine and the IMF to move expeditiously and complete the steps necessary to gain approval from the IMF Executive Board.
Together with our allies and partners, President Obama will continue to build international support for the Ukrainian people at this critical time....
Together with our allies and partners, President Obama will continue to build international support for the Ukrainian people at this critical time....
09:55
27.3.2014
Very ambitious chronicle of Jews and anti-Semitism in Ukraine by David Frum in "The Atlantic" titled "Ukraine's Phantom Neo-Nazi Menace" and subtitled "The country's Jews have faced unspeakable horrors. But Vladimir Putin isn't their savior."
It begins:
It begins:
“When was the last time you personally experienced anti-Semitism?” I asked the executive director of the organized Jewish community for the city of Kiev. He gave me a puzzled look. “You mean, called me a Zhid or something like that?” “Anything.” He thought for a moment. “Back in Soviet times.”
I put the same question to a roomful of senior citizens in one of the country’s 32 Jewish social-service centers. The group, which was mostly women, laughed out loud. They faced plenty of problems: the standard old-age pension in Ukraine is only about $100 a month, pitifully little even in this poor country. But the Russian claim that gangs of neo-Nazis are roaming Ukraine, threatening its Jewish population, evoked unanimous scorn from every Jewish person I talked to in the country.
I put the same question to a roomful of senior citizens in one of the country’s 32 Jewish social-service centers. The group, which was mostly women, laughed out loud. They faced plenty of problems: the standard old-age pension in Ukraine is only about $100 a month, pitifully little even in this poor country. But the Russian claim that gangs of neo-Nazis are roaming Ukraine, threatening its Jewish population, evoked unanimous scorn from every Jewish person I talked to in the country.
09:44
27.3.2014
Sweden's foreign minister takes up the #unitedforukraine banner:
09:42
27.3.2014
Switzerland has frozen its military cooperation with Russia, RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service reports, saying its annexation of Crimea contravenes the Helsinki Accords, international law, and the principle of territorial integrity of states. Russia has "violated its obligations under a number of bilateral and multilateral agreements," the statement by the Swiss government executive, the Federal Council.
09:38
27.3.2014
Ukraine is seeking at the UN General Assembly the demilitarization of Crimea, according to Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Daniel Lubkivskyy as quoted by our Ukrainian Service.
09:28
27.3.2014
"I spent three and half days in a single cell. We were fed, interacted with politely, asked provocative questions and gave provocative answers." -- Ukrainian Colonel Yuliy Mamchur, who is quickly becoming a hero among Ukrainians for his resistance to Russian forces, speaking to Reuters near the Ukraine-Crimea border after his release by pro-Russian forces on March 26
09:22
27.3.2014
The International Monetary Fund has announced a "staff level agreement" on a $14 billion-$18 billion bailout package for Ukraine. The deal -- announced by Nikolay Gueorguiev, the IMF's mission chief for Ukraine -- will make available further credits to reach a total of $27 billion over the next two years. In a statement, the IMF said "the mission has reached a staff-level agreement with the authorities of Ukraine on an economic reform program that can be supported by a two-year Stand-By Arrangement with the IMF." An IMF mission was in Kyiv from March 4-25 to assess the economic situation. It said Ukraine "has achieved some stability" following the "intense economic and political turbulence of recent months," but said it still faces "difficult challenges." The agreement is subject to approval by the IMF's Executive Board, which is expected to consider the agreement in April.
08:26
27.3.2014
08:06
27.3.2014
Ukrainian Democratic Party for Reform (UDAR) leader Vitali Klitschko told Reuters in London today after meeting with British Prime Minister David Cameron and British Foreign Secretary William Hague.
"We expect more. We expect more because right now nothing has changed. Russia continues to attack Ukrainian military bases and put pressure and [destabilize] the situation in the eastern part of Ukraine."
"How fast we come out of this crisis depends on us, on Ukrainians, on reforms and new government and yes of course it depends on the friends of Ukraine. And right now we came to London to ask for help. We need know-how, we need support. We need technical support, we need moral support, we need economic support. Right now it is a very difficult time because there's aggression from Russia."
"How fast we come out of this crisis depends on us, on Ukrainians, on reforms and new government and yes of course it depends on the friends of Ukraine. And right now we came to London to ask for help. We need know-how, we need support. We need technical support, we need moral support, we need economic support. Right now it is a very difficult time because there's aggression from Russia."