13:23
21.3.2014
Ban Ki-moon says he is encouraged to see signs of greater inclusion in Ukraine and praises the start of a planned UN rights monitoring mission in Ukraine.
13:33
21.3.2014
#Ukraine Prosecutor General: Snipers involved in Maidan killings are Ukrainian citizens http://t.co/ILEHolFMkl pic.twitter.com/cqCLDjtOJg
— KyivPost (@KyivPost) March 21, 2014
13:33
21.3.2014
Ban Ki-moon says in Kyiv that "the world is watching and history will judge us."
13:33
21.3.2014
Ban adds that Ukraine and Russia "should sit down together and engage in direct and constructive dialogue." He says he has urged Putin and Turchynov to do so.
13:33
21.3.2014
All parties should refrain from inflammatory rhetoric, Ban says, adding that such remarks "only generate emotions which may lead to uncontrollable situations."
13:36
21.3.2014
More excerpts from Ukrainian Prime Minister Yatsenyuk's remarks in Brussels after today's signing of the EU Association Agreement's political provisions, via our Brussels correspondent:
"I do believe that we need to consider the energy independence of the entire European Union. It is urgently needed to overhaul the entire energy security and energy policy in Ukraine mainly and we do understand that probably the EU is to speak in one strong, single voice, creating one united and single energy policy."
"The best way is to diversify energy flows and it is urgent for Ukraine to get a reversed flow as Russia violates all deals and all treaties signed between Ukraine and Russia. is to increase, is to double the price for natural gas, this is the way how Russia punish Ukraine for its European choice."
"You need to pay the price and we all need to pay the price for peace, stability, security and values. And I strongly believe that the EU acknowledges this, realizes this and the EU will speak in one single and strong voice protecting the values, defending the territorial integrity of Ukraine and protecting actually the EU itself, because God knows where is the final destination? Is it Ukraine or is the EU?"
"The best way to contain Russia is to impose real economic leverage over them. What is happening? They are selling gas and oil mainly to the European Union, then they take euros, dollars and pounds and buy armaments, armed vehicles, tanks and invade an independent country. This is the wrong business."
"The best way is to diversify energy flows and it is urgent for Ukraine to get a reversed flow as Russia violates all deals and all treaties signed between Ukraine and Russia. is to increase, is to double the price for natural gas, this is the way how Russia punish Ukraine for its European choice."
"You need to pay the price and we all need to pay the price for peace, stability, security and values. And I strongly believe that the EU acknowledges this, realizes this and the EU will speak in one single and strong voice protecting the values, defending the territorial integrity of Ukraine and protecting actually the EU itself, because God knows where is the final destination? Is it Ukraine or is the EU?"
"The best way to contain Russia is to impose real economic leverage over them. What is happening? They are selling gas and oil mainly to the European Union, then they take euros, dollars and pounds and buy armaments, armed vehicles, tanks and invade an independent country. This is the wrong business."
13:42
21.3.2014
Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov: Government will "stand behind" Russian individuals and businesses hit by U.S. sanctions.
13:53
21.3.2014
Ukraine's finance ministry will issue "war" bonds to fund the country's cash-strapped army.
#Ukraine Министерство финансов готовит выпуск "военных" облигаций http://t.co/U4ruUcVluk
— Новости Украины (@newsua) March 21, 2014
13:53
21.3.2014
Putin in televised quips, putting a brave face on the new U.S. sanctions that target a bank (Rossiya Bank) and Russian officials, including individuals said to be within his "inner circle."
"We have to stay away from them. They can compromise us."
"With regard to [the sanctions] against financial institutions, as far as I understand, it [affects] a middle-sized bank. I don't have a personal account there, but definitely on Monday I will open one."
"With regard to [the sanctions] against financial institutions, as far as I understand, it [affects] a middle-sized bank. I don't have a personal account there, but definitely on Monday I will open one."
14:02
21.3.2014
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, on a visit to Kyiv, reiterates his appeal for a peaceful resolution to the Crimea crisis on the basis of the UN Charter, "including respect for the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of Ukraine."