16:01
14.3.2014
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has been speaking to journalists after holding talks with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry. The main points thus far:
Lavrov says U.S. and Russia 'diverge' in their views about Ukraine. He says Russia will 'respect the will of the Crimean people on March 16' referendum.
Lavrov says Moscow has no plans to invade southeastern Ukraine.
Lavrov says Western partners are well aware sanctions are counterproductive, 'Kerry did not threaten Russia with anything,' he said.
Lavrov says if Kosovo was treated as a 'special case', Crimea should be 'a special case, too.'
Lavrov says U.S. and Russia 'diverge' in their views about Ukraine. He says Russia will 'respect the will of the Crimean people on March 16' referendum.
Lavrov says Moscow has no plans to invade southeastern Ukraine.
Lavrov says Western partners are well aware sanctions are counterproductive, 'Kerry did not threaten Russia with anything,' he said.
Lavrov says if Kosovo was treated as a 'special case', Crimea should be 'a special case, too.'
16:05
14.3.2014
The Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group reports that Crimea's Russian-installed prime minister, Sergei Kasyanov, has acknowledged that activists who have been reported abducted in recent days are in fact being held in custody by Crimean security forces, to prevent "subversive activities" in the days leading up to the peninsula's independence referendum March 16.
Kasyanov specifically mentioned Andrey Shchekun, the head of Crimea's Ukrainian Council, who was abducted in Simferopol on March 9, shortly before the start of a rally he had helped organize to protest Russian occupation. Kasyanov said Shchekun was alive and in good health, but like other activists would have his liberty "restricted" until after the referendum.
Here's how Kasyanov defended the preemptive detentions: "What should we do with such people? Simply sit back and watch the situation? I'm sorry, but this is a war situation. That requires the adoption of certain harsh measures. If somebody wants to infringe and destabilize the situation, that means they will have their freedom restricted. We have no other possibility."
Read the full Kharkov report (in English) here:
16:15
14.3.2014
The head of RFE/RL's Tatar-Bashkir Service, Rim Gilfanov, is on Reddit and ready to answer any and all questions on Crimean Tatars:
What's the stand of Crimean Tatars in latest crisis? I'm ready to answer your questions. Ask me anything! http://t.co/eLZmON5W3S
— Rim Gilfanov (@guilfanr) March 14, 2014
16:17
14.3.2014
It was always implied that Crimea is Russia's late revenge against the West for Kosovo. Now Lavrov has made that explicit.
— Simon Shuster (@shustry) March 14, 2014
16:21
14.3.2014
Meanwhile, U.S. President Barack Obama says he continues to hope for a diplomatic solution to the Ukraine, but warned of "consequences" for Russia if none is found and should Moscow refuse to loosen its grip on Ukraine’s Crimea region.
17:03
14.3.2014
Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State has also been speaking to journalists after talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Here's what he had to say:
Kerry said he and Lavrov talked for "a good six hours' about Ukraine. However, Lavrov told Kerry President Putin is not prepared to make any decision on Crimea until after the referendum.
He said Washington and international community will not recognize the outcome of the Crimea referendum.
Kerry said he and Lavrov have agreed to stay in touch in the coming days.
Kerry said he and Lavrov talked for "a good six hours' about Ukraine. However, Lavrov told Kerry President Putin is not prepared to make any decision on Crimea until after the referendum.
He said Washington and international community will not recognize the outcome of the Crimea referendum.
Kerry said he and Lavrov have agreed to stay in touch in the coming days.
17:27
14.3.2014
America's first sign of help to #Ukraine: Pentagon is sending 25,000 cases of military prepackaged meals.
— Paul Waldie (@pwaldieGLOBE) March 14, 2014
18:53
14.3.2014
Made clear again w/ #FMLavrov there will be consequences if #Russia doesn’t change course. We’ll continue to stay in touch in days ahead.
— John Kerry (@JohnKerry) March 14, 2014
18:59
14.3.2014
This just in from RFE/RL's newsdesk:
Amnesty International says the Russian authorities have launched a “full-scale onslaught” on independent media.
In a statement issued today, the London-based group said the blocking of a number of internet sites in Russia is a "clear violation of the right to freedom of expression" and an "unashamed attack on those who still dare to question the Kremlin-dictated narrative."
The Russian government has recently banned several websites known for their criticism of the Kremlin, saying they had called for incitement to unlawful behavior and for people to take part in unauthorized gatherings.
The sites include Grani.ru, Kasparov.ru, and the online site for "Yezhednevny zhurnal" (Daily Journal).
Amnesty said the sites offered independent information and alternative views, including details of a planned demonstration in Moscow tomorrow over the Russian intervention in Crimea.
In a statement issued today, the London-based group said the blocking of a number of internet sites in Russia is a "clear violation of the right to freedom of expression" and an "unashamed attack on those who still dare to question the Kremlin-dictated narrative."
The Russian government has recently banned several websites known for their criticism of the Kremlin, saying they had called for incitement to unlawful behavior and for people to take part in unauthorized gatherings.
The sites include Grani.ru, Kasparov.ru, and the online site for "Yezhednevny zhurnal" (Daily Journal).
Amnesty said the sites offered independent information and alternative views, including details of a planned demonstration in Moscow tomorrow over the Russian intervention in Crimea.
19:26
14.3.2014
Putin: nobody in #Ukraine will play war with me. Billboard in Kyiv. RT @ikomm_ #УкрТві pic.twitter.com/LF9p5udUIY #Russia
— Chrystyna Lapychak (@chryslap) March 14, 2014