12:06
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
12:11
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."
12:13
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."
12:17
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
12:46
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
12:52
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.
12:58
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
13:00
8.3.2014
Link to a live cam outside the Donetsk Oblast Administration. Pro-Russian demonstrators currently marching to building;
13:01
8.3.2014
Impressive video (in Russian) of locals in Crimea talking to a soldier who refuses to admit he's Russian: http://t.co/B2wziXN98t
— Robert Coalson (@CoalsonR) March 8, 2014
13:12
8.3.2014
Russian website set up to "expose traitors" who oppose intervention in Ukraine.
Hat tip to Andrei Soldatov for flagging this:
Hat tip to Andrei Soldatov for flagging this:
Whatever Putin says about Rus troops in Crimea his supporters are already at war: they even start exposing "traitors" http://t.co/Ulbe8zy6Fv
— Andrei Soldatov (@AndreiSoldatov) March 8, 2014