08:13
27.3.2014
Sergei Markov, a Russian political analyst with close ties to the Kremlin and a former State Duma deputy from the ruling United Russia party, has published an op-ed in "The Moscow Times" in which he points out that "Russia's understanding [of conflicts in Crimea and Ukraine] differs significantly from the West's."
He spells out "our reality," including the perception that the government in Kyiv lacks legitimacy and the accusation that "the U.S. and EU are trying to help the Russian opposition overthrow Putin and form a Maidan-style government in Moscow."
Markov adds:
He spells out "our reality," including the perception that the government in Kyiv lacks legitimacy and the accusation that "the U.S. and EU are trying to help the Russian opposition overthrow Putin and form a Maidan-style government in Moscow."
Markov adds:
Do Western leaders really believe that Putin will reconcile himself to their distorted vision of reality? By insisting that Putin capitulate, the West is actually leaving him no option but to respond with force.
And in the face of this harsh reality, Russia has always chosen war over capitulation.
And in the face of this harsh reality, Russia has always chosen war over capitulation.
08:33
27.3.2014
"The Guardian's" Simon Jenkins goes straight to the point in a bleak assessment titled "Crimea: all this virile cold war talk won't force Vladimir Putin to slink back." He concludes that "the real job is somehow to get out of this mess...[and] I imagine Putin agrees":
We know where this is likely to end. We will accept Russia's sovereignty over Crimea. Sanctions will be quietly dismantled, Moscow will reassure Kiev with a deal on neutrality. Nato will agree no further eastward expansion. The G7 will again become G8; and Crimea will join Tibet, Kosovo, East Timor, Chechnya, Georgia and other territorial interventions which history students will struggle to remember. But how do we get from here to there?
We all seem much wiser about Russia and Ukraine than we were a month ago. Vladimir Putin is not Hitler and Crimea is not Sudetenland, despite the efforts of Russophobic chest-beaters to pretend so. He is a dictator, brutal, proud, controlling, intolerant of criticism and infused with obsessive patriotism. But we get on fine with the Chinese politburo. The triumphalism of western diplomacy towards Russia since 1989 is now seen as the provocative taunting not just of Putin but of all his still benighted nation.
We all seem much wiser about Russia and Ukraine than we were a month ago. Vladimir Putin is not Hitler and Crimea is not Sudetenland, despite the efforts of Russophobic chest-beaters to pretend so. He is a dictator, brutal, proud, controlling, intolerant of criticism and infused with obsessive patriotism. But we get on fine with the Chinese politburo. The triumphalism of western diplomacy towards Russia since 1989 is now seen as the provocative taunting not just of Putin but of all his still benighted nation.
08:36
27.3.2014
Claims that leaflets are being left on doors in Odesa calling for the return of ousted President Viktor Yanukovych.
08:40
27.3.2014
Interfax quotes Russian Economic Development Minister Aleksei Ulyukayev saying capital outflow is likely to reach $60 billion in the first quarter, roughly equal to all of last year.
08:48
27.3.2014
09:00
27.3.2014
Moscow's prosecutor in Crimea, the meme-friendly Natalya Poklonskaya, as Anna from "Frozen."
09:06
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."
09:26
27.3.2014
10:22
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.