10:28
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
10:32
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
11:13
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)
11:18
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."
11:36
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.
11:38
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.
11:43
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.
12:07
13.3.2014
Abkhazia, Georgia's Russian-backed breakaway region, says it's ready to dispatch observers to Crimea to monitor the March 16 referendum.
Valery Bganba, the speaker of Abkhazia's parliament, told Interfax the legislature had already formed a group of lawmakers (!) willing to monitor Crimea's referendum on joining Russia.
Valery Bganba, the speaker of Abkhazia's parliament, told Interfax the legislature had already formed a group of lawmakers (!) willing to monitor Crimea's referendum on joining Russia.
12:46
13.3.2014
Despite huge line at a Simferopol branch of Oshad Bank, it's calm and people not panicking. Limit 3000UAH, regular amount. #Crimea
— Alexander Marquardt (@MarquardtA) March 13, 2014
12:53
13.3.2014
These latest comments from Putin have come in on the wires:
Russian President Vladimir Putin has told Paralympic athletes that Moscow is not to blame for the crisis in Crimea.
At a meeting with Paralympic delegations in Sochi, Putin thanked officials for keeping politics out of the Winter Paralympics, which are being hosted by Russia and end on March 16.
Putin did not name Ukraine but said he was referring to the "complicated circumstances which you all know about very well."
"I would like to stress that Russia was not the initiator of the circumstances that we are now facing," he added. (AP, Reuters, Interfax)
Russian President Vladimir Putin has told Paralympic athletes that Moscow is not to blame for the crisis in Crimea.
At a meeting with Paralympic delegations in Sochi, Putin thanked officials for keeping politics out of the Winter Paralympics, which are being hosted by Russia and end on March 16.
Putin did not name Ukraine but said he was referring to the "complicated circumstances which you all know about very well."
"I would like to stress that Russia was not the initiator of the circumstances that we are now facing," he added. (AP, Reuters, Interfax)