13:20
17.5.2014
Hromadske TV reporting that separatists in Donetsk want to introduce the ruble.
"Donetsk Pseudo-Republic wants to give up the hryvna for the ruble."
"Donetsk Pseudo-Republic wants to give up the hryvna for the ruble."
13:13
17.5.2014
The Kyiv Post weighs in on France's deal to sell MIstral warships to Russia:
Read it all here.
The sale of two French Mistral class warships to Russia is making waves on both sides of the Atlantic.
When the French government signed a $1.6 billion contract in 2010 to sell Russia the two amphibious assault ships, no one envisaged that Russia would annex Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula and threaten a deeper military invasion of the nation.
When the French government signed a $1.6 billion contract in 2010 to sell Russia the two amphibious assault ships, no one envisaged that Russia would annex Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula and threaten a deeper military invasion of the nation.
Read it all here.
13:10
17.5.2014
In editorial, The Kyiv Post criticizes Europe's financial ties to Russia:
Read the whole thing here.
More than two months after Russia destroyed the post-Cold War order by invading and annexing Crimea, European Union heavyweights France, Germany and even Great Britain continue to dither in the face of Vladimir Putin’s aggression.
Their weakness has shown that business lobbies in the three nations are willing to turn a blind eye to Moscow’s war crimes as long as their companies are making money. Now we understand better why two world wars started in Europe and the dangers of appeasement.
Their weakness has shown that business lobbies in the three nations are willing to turn a blind eye to Moscow’s war crimes as long as their companies are making money. Now we understand better why two world wars started in Europe and the dangers of appeasement.
Read the whole thing here.
13:06
17.5.2014
Ukraine says traffic decreased at Russian border crossing in Luhansk Oblast. This via "The Kyiv Post":
Meanwhile, separatists in Donetsk Oblast say they are trying to get Ukrainian border guards there to switch sides. This via Interfax:
KRASNAYA TALOVKA, Luhansk Oblast -- Sergiy Chupryna, a supervisor of border guards on the international border between Luhansk Oblast and Russia at Krasnaya Talovka, said the number of people crossing their checkpoint decreased dramatically over the last months.
“Once we had some 2,000 people crossing the border per day here, but now there are only about 300 people he said.”
Chupryna said that people stopped coming from Russia's Rostov Oblast across the border fearing for their safety in Ukraine. Nevertheless, the borders guards keep watching this place in reinforced protection mode. There are deep anti-tank ditches dug along the border line.
“Once we had some 2,000 people crossing the border per day here, but now there are only about 300 people he said.”
Chupryna said that people stopped coming from Russia's Rostov Oblast across the border fearing for their safety in Ukraine. Nevertheless, the borders guards keep watching this place in reinforced protection mode. There are deep anti-tank ditches dug along the border line.
Meanwhile, separatists in Donetsk Oblast say they are trying to get Ukrainian border guards there to switch sides. This via Interfax:
SLOVYANSK. May 17 (Interfax) - The leadership of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic has started negotiations with Ukrainian border guards controlling the local section of the Ukrainian-Russian border to persuade them to side with them, Donetsk
People Republic Deputy Prime Minister Andriy Purhin said.
People Republic Deputy Prime Minister Andriy Purhin said.
12:58
17.5.2014
Russia quesions whether Ukraine's election can meet "democratic norms." This via AFP.
MOSCOW, May 17, 2014 (AFP) - Moscow on Saturday questioned whether Ukraine's May 25 presidential election can be held democratically amid continued fighting in the east of the country.
"Can elections held amid the thunder of guns really meet the democratic norms of the electoral process?" the foreign ministry said in a statement, urging authorities in Kiev to "immediately end military operations" in the country's southeast.
"Can elections held amid the thunder of guns really meet the democratic norms of the electoral process?" the foreign ministry said in a statement, urging authorities in Kiev to "immediately end military operations" in the country's southeast.
11:26
17.5.2014
11:19
17.5.2014
Write-up in the "Post" about how billionaire Rinat Akhmetov might hold the key to the balance of power in Ukraine.
10:56
17.5.2014
It looks like a standoff is likely tomorrow, with the leader of Crimea banning public rallies. Crimean Tatars planned to rally to mark the anniversary of Soviet deportations.
Crimean Tatar leader Mustafa Dzhemilev and Ukraine's Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk spoke yesterday at a special ceremony in Kyiv to commemorate the 70-years anniversary.
"Opinions differ as to how long this occupation will last. We really hope it won't be for long. We hope that the efforts of the international community together with the democratic forces of Ukraine will shorten this occupation and I hope that in the nearest future Crimean Tatars will have a new date to celebrate, that of the end of occupation." -- Dzhemilev
"We are on the side of good. Stalin and the Bolsheviks thought that through deportation they could destroy Crimean Tatars. Never. These people have destroyed the regime that deported them and which humiliated them. Crimean Tatars exist, Bolsheviks, Stalin and the rest of them do not. And this is how it will be." -- Yatsenyuk
"We will move forward with you, [Crimean Tatars] toward a European, a united country, in which Crimea will be part of the Ukrainian state. Glory to your great people." -- Yatsenyuk
Crimean Tatar leader Mustafa Dzhemilev and Ukraine's Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk spoke yesterday at a special ceremony in Kyiv to commemorate the 70-years anniversary.
"Opinions differ as to how long this occupation will last. We really hope it won't be for long. We hope that the efforts of the international community together with the democratic forces of Ukraine will shorten this occupation and I hope that in the nearest future Crimean Tatars will have a new date to celebrate, that of the end of occupation." -- Dzhemilev
"We are on the side of good. Stalin and the Bolsheviks thought that through deportation they could destroy Crimean Tatars. Never. These people have destroyed the regime that deported them and which humiliated them. Crimean Tatars exist, Bolsheviks, Stalin and the rest of them do not. And this is how it will be." -- Yatsenyuk
"We will move forward with you, [Crimean Tatars] toward a European, a united country, in which Crimea will be part of the Ukrainian state. Glory to your great people." -- Yatsenyuk
10:51
17.5.2014
From our news desk:
Ukrainian officials say pro-Russian separatists were able to free a separatist leader who had been captured by Ukrainian security forces on the Russian border.
Valeriy Bolotov, the self-styled governor of the self-declared Luhansk People's Republic, was detained by Ukrainian border guards on May 17 as he was returning to the Luhansk region from Russia.
At least 100 armed gunmen then attacked the border checkpoint and exchanged fire with Ukrainian border guards, eventually securing Bolotov's release.
Bolotov reportedly was shot on May 13 by an unidentified gunman and was in Russia receiving treatment for his wound.
A Ukrainian border guard official said they are determining if there are casualties from the shoot-out.
The incident occurred ahead of peace talks between in Kharkiv aimed at resolving the crisis with pro-Russian separatists who have seized government buildings in a string of eastern cities.
Valeriy Bolotov, the self-styled governor of the self-declared Luhansk People's Republic, was detained by Ukrainian border guards on May 17 as he was returning to the Luhansk region from Russia.
At least 100 armed gunmen then attacked the border checkpoint and exchanged fire with Ukrainian border guards, eventually securing Bolotov's release.
Bolotov reportedly was shot on May 13 by an unidentified gunman and was in Russia receiving treatment for his wound.
A Ukrainian border guard official said they are determining if there are casualties from the shoot-out.
The incident occurred ahead of peace talks between in Kharkiv aimed at resolving the crisis with pro-Russian separatists who have seized government buildings in a string of eastern cities.
10:30
17.5.2014
Regarding further sanctions, U.S. President Barack Obama and French President Francois Hollande spoke by telephone last night and discussed the crisis in Ukraine. Thery both warned Russia it will face "significant" further costs if it continues provocative and destabilizing behavior.