Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Further Reading

• Russia withdraws battalion from near Ukraine border Iran Press TV 31 Mar 2014 -- The Russian Defense Ministry has announced that it is withdrawing a battalion from a region on the border with Ukraine.
• Russia withdrawing from Ukraine border: Defense Min. Iran Press TV 31 Mar 2014 -- Ukrainian Defense Ministry says Russian forces have begun their gradual withdrawal from Ukraine's border.
• On EU Visit, Chinese President Caught in Ukraine Dilemma VOA 31 Mar 2014 -- China's President Xi Jinping is wrapping up a week-long tour of Europe aimed at fostering better economic ties with its number one trading partner.
• Kyiv Denounces Medvedev's Crimea Visit As 'Crude Violation' RFE/RL 31 Mar 2014 -- Ukraine has denounced a visit by Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev to Crimea, describing it as a 'crude violation of the rules of international behavior.'
• Medvedev Announces Sweeping Crimea Development Plan RIA Novosti 31 Mar 2014 -- Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev arrived in Crimea on Monday to announce an ambitious plan aimed at meeting the needs of the peninsula's citizens, just 10 days after its reunification with Russia.
• Russia Developing Security Plan for Crimea – Defense Minister RIA Novosti 31 Mar 2014 -- The Russian military is drafting a security plan for Crimea through 2020 in an effort to ensure the work of Russian servicemen in the former Ukrainian region, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Monday.
• No Plans for Russia-Ukraine Diplomatic Meeting – Moscow RIA Novosti 31 Mar 2014 -- No meetings are currently scheduled between the Russian and Ukrainian foreign ministries, a senior Russian diplomat said Monday.
• Russia Ready to Resolve Crimea Property Issues With Ukraine RIA Novosti 31 Mar 2014 -- Moscow is prepared to resolve property disputes with Ukraine surrounding the termination of bilateral agreements on the basing of the Black Sea Fleet, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin said on Monday.
• Ukraine's recruiting foreigners to restore order may be attempt to suppress civil protest - Moscow VoR 31 Mar 2014 -- Media reports claiming that the Ukrainian leadership wants to recruit personnel from private foreign military companies 'in order to maintain law and order' may suggest that the Kiev regime wants to suppress civil protest and discontent, the Russian Foreign Ministry said. 'Anyway, one can state that in the absence of support from the Ukrainian population, the Maidan government has only one option if it wants to remain in power - to mobilize any support possible from foreign sponsors, including foreign mercenaries,' the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a commentary.
• Ukraine crisis tops agenda at two-day NATO Foreign Ministers talks NATO 31 Mar 2014 -- NATO's support to Ukraine and the Alliance's review of its relations with Russia in the wake of the Ukraine crisis will top the agenda at a two-day meeting of NATO foreign ministers which starts on Tuesday (1 April 2014). Foreign ministers will also discuss NATO's relations with Georgia, the situation in Afghanistan, the Alliance's cooperation with its Gulf partners, and the preparations for NATO's Wales Summit in September.
• Russia Announces Partial Troop Withdrawal From Near Ukraine Border RFE/RL 31 Mar 2014 -- Russia has announced it is withdrawing some troops from along Ukraine's eastern border. The German government said Russian President Vladimir Putin told Chancellor Angela Merkel about the partial withdrawal in a telephone call.
• Russia Appears to Pull Some Troops from Ukraine Border VOA 31 Mar 2014 -- Russia is withdrawing a motorized infantry battalion from a region near Ukraine's eastern border, the Russian Defense Ministry was quoted as saying by state news agencies on Monday.
• Kerry, Lavrov Hold 'Frank' Talks On Ukraine RFE/RL 31 Mar 2014 -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has held four hours of what he described as frank talks in Paris with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on the crisis in Ukraine.
• Russia premier promises to pour funds into Crimea Iran Press TV 31 Mar 2014 -- The Russian prime minister has vowed to rapidly pour funds into the newly-joined Crimea region in order to improve the social and economic situation of its people.
• Kerry: Russian Troops Near Ukraine Create 'Climate of Fear' VOA 30 Mar 2014 -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is calling on Russia to pull back thousands of troops along the Ukraine border, saying those forces are creating a 'climate of fear' that does not support diplomatic dialogue. Secretary Kerry met late Sunday in Paris with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
• West recognized Maidan; more reason to recognize Crimea's reunion with Russia – Lavrov VoR 30 Mar 2014 -- Since the West recognized 'Maidan', it is simply bound to recognize Crimea's reunification with Russia as a reality, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told the national 'Channel One' television channel.
• Kharkov, Odessa, Donetsk regions demand autonomy for southeastern Ukraine VoR 30 Mar 2014 -- Demonstrators at a pro-Russian rally in central Kharkov on Sunday called for the establishment of an autonomous republic consisting of southeastern Ukrainian provinces. The meetings in Kharkov were followed by big Ukrainian cities such as Dotetsk, Odessa and Lugansk. The demonstrators urged the southeastern Ukrainian provinces to unite against Kiev.
• Profile: Petro Poroshenko, Ukraine's Shadowy Man Of The Hour RFE/RL 30 Mar 2014 -- Petro Poroshenko is one of the richest men in Ukraine and has been a player in national politics since 1998. Yet he remains, for the most part, an unknown quantity, a gray figure without a significant public image.
• Final US Congressional Approval Expected for Ukraine Aid VOA 30 Mar 2014 -- As diplomatic efforts continue in hopes of containing the crisis in Ukraine, the U.S. Congress is expected to finalize an aid package for Kyiv and sanctions against Russia for its annexation of Crimea. A bill likely will go to the White House for President Barack Obama's signature Tuesday.
• Klitschko Pulls Out Of Presidential Race RFE/RL 29 Mar 2014 -- Ukrainian politician Vitali Klitschko says he has decided against contesting a snap presidential election in May.
• Western media hush up some facts about Right Sector speaking about Ukraine - Russia's Lavrov VoR 29 Mar 2014 -- While covering the events in Ukraine, Western media conceal some facts about the Right Sector, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sergey Lavrov, has stated. Lavrov noted that he had for more than a month posed a question of the Right Sector and the need to distance from the radicals to the Western partners.
• Russian Black Sea Fleet gives up Ukrainian submarine Zaporizhzhya VoR 29 Mar 2014 -- The diesel-electric submarine Zaporizhzhya, project 641, which earlier formed part of Ukraine's Navy, is out of order and will not be used by the Russian Black Sea Fleet, the Russian Navy Main Staff told the Interfax-AVN news agency on Saturday.
• Federal agreement is only way to reach Ukraine settlement – Lavrov VoR 29 Mar 2014 -- Russia believes that the only way for Ukraine to reach a settlement is to sign a federal agreement, said Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, in an interview with the anchor of the 'Saturday News with Sergei Brilev' TV programme earlier today. 'Current developments in Ukraine have resulted from a deep statehood crisis, triggered, among other things, by the inability (I'd hate to think of reluctance) of every successive leader coming to power to reconcile the interests of Ukraine's western region and Ukraine's South-East', the Russian Foreign Minis
• Lavrov: 'No Intention' To Cross Ukraine's Border RFE/RL 28 Mar 2014 -- Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says Russia has "absolutely no intention and no interests" in ordering its armed forces to cross over the Ukrainian border.
• Ban warns against escalation of crisis in Ukraine, saying 'small sparks' could 'ignite larger flames' UN News Centre 28 Mar 2014 -- Reiterating his strong call for a diplomatic solution to the crisis over Ukraine, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon this evening warned the concerned parties – and the wider international community – that "at this time of heightened tensions, even small sparks can ignite larger flames of unintended consequences."
• Russia Has No Intentions to Invade Ukraine – Lavrov RIA Novosti 29 Mar 2014 -- Russia has no intentions or interests whatsoever to cross the Ukrainian borders, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Saturday.
• Moscow Condemns UN Resolution On Ukraine RFE/RL 28 Mar 2014 -- Russia's Foreign Ministry has issued a statement condemning the adoption of a resolution 'On the Territorial Integrity of Ukraine' by the United Nations General Assembly.
• Obama: Russia Must Pull Back Troops From Ukrainian Border VOA 28 Mar 2014 -- U.S. President Barack Obama says Russia must pull back its troops from the Ukrainian border and begin negotiating to defuse tensions.
• UN 'counterproductive' resolution make it difficult to settle Ukrainian crisis - Moscow VoR 28 Mar 2014 -- The Russian Foreign Ministry has described the UN General Assembly's resolution concerning Ukraine as 'counter-productive' and has said that the large number of UN General Assembly member countries that abstained or were not present during the vote altogether indicates that they refuse to accept this one-sided interpretation of the Ukrainian events.
• Professional actions by Russian military saved Crimea from bloodshed - Putin VoR 28 Mar 2014 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that the events in Crimea have demonstrated a high level of readiness of the Russian Armed Forces and he thanked the military service members stationed in the peninsula for their stamina and professionalism. 'The recent events in Crimea were a serious test. They demonstrated both the completely new capabilities of our Armed Forces and the high morale of the personnel,' the president said at a ceremony introducing the top officers on the occasion of new appointments and rank awarding.
• Putin: Crimea Showed 'Professionalism' Of Russian Military RFE/RL 28 Mar 2014 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has said the actions of Russian military forces in the Ukrainian region of Crimea have demonstrated the 'high level of preparedness' in the Russian armed forces.
• Complex Ties: Russia's Armed Forces Depend On Ukraine's Military Industry RFE/RL 28 Mar 2014 -- It is an ironic fact that much of the equipment used by the Russian troops in Crimea, and those maneuvering on Ukraine's border, is produced by Kyiv's military industry.
• Obama Condemns Russia, Hails IMF Loan to Ukraine VOA 27 Mar 2014 -- Hailing the U.S. partnership with Italy all of Europe as "cornerstone of our security, President Barack Obama hailed the transatlantic unity on the issue of Russia'sannexation of Crimea and welcomed the International Monetary Fund's assistance package for Ukraine.
• Obama: Freedom Will Triumph in Ukraine AFPS 27 Mar 2014 -- President Barack Obama appealed to logic and emotion to explain the American position on events in Ukraine and again laid out the case for Russia to disengage and rescind its annexation of Crimea.
• IMF Agrees On $14-18 Billion Bailout Package For Ukraine RFE/RL 27 Mar 2014 -- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has promised to loan of between $14 billion and $18 billion to cash-strapped Ukraine.
• Tymoshenko Announces Presidential Run in Ukraine RIA Novosti 27 Mar 2014 -- Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko announced Thursday she would run for president in upcoming elections scheduled for May 25.
• Crimea to Draft Constitution Within 2 Weeks – Lawmaker RIA Novosti 27 Mar 2014 -- Lawmakers in Crimea, which became part of Russia last week, are expected to draft a constitution for the region within two weeks, a senior Crimean official said Thursday.
• Ukraine on Brink of Economic Bankruptcy – Acting PM RIA Novosti 27 Mar 2014 -- Ukraine is facing default if the country's parliament fails to approve unpopular anti-crisis measures proposed by the government, Ukraine's interim prime minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk said Thursday.
• Inspection of Ukrainian Ships Entering Russia's Black Sea Fleet To Be Done by Year's End RIA Novosti 27 Mar 2014 -- Technical inspections of Ukraine's naval vessels entering Russia's Black Sea Fleet could be complete by the end of 2014, a source in the Black Sea Fleet Headquarters said on Thursday.
• Over 30 Ukrainian Ships To Enter Russian Navy Service after Inspection – Source RIA Novosti 27 Mar 2014 -- More than 30 warships and support vessels formerly in the Ukrainian navy could enter into Russia's Black Sea Fleet by the end of the year, but only after they pass inspections, a source in the fleet's headquarters said Thursday.
• Obama Urges West To Remain United On Crimea RFE/RL 26 Mar 2014 -- U.S. President Barack Obama has chided Russia for its use of 'brute force' in Ukraine and vowed that the determined alliance of the United States and Europe will prevail over time.
• Russia-Ukraine Atomic Energy Cooperation Continues – Rosatom RIA Novosti 27 Mar 2014 -- Russian nuclear fuel deliveries to power plants in Ukraine are continuing without interruption, the head of Russia's state nuclear corporation said Thursday.
• US won't use force to return Crimea to Ukraine: Obama Iran Press TV 26 Mar 2014 -- US President Barack Obama says Washington will not use military force against Russia to return the Autonomous Republic of Crimea to Ukraine.
• Ukraine govt. seeks to stage military maneuvers with NATO Iran Press TV 26 Mar 2014 -- Ukraine's acting President Oleksandr Turchynov has reportedly asked the parliament to approve a set of military exercises with NATO, a move that could place US troops in direct proximity with Russian forces in Crimea.
• Obama: West Has No Plans to Use Force in Ukraine VOA 26 Mar 2014 -- U.S. President Barack Obama says he believes democracy and the rule of law will triumph in Ukraine.
• US Congress to Act Soon on Ukraine Aid, Russian Sanctions VOA 26 Mar 2014 -- Prospects are improving for U.S. congressional approval of an aid package for Ukraine and sanctions against Russia, as House and Senate lawmakers resolve differences between the chambers. A bill could be ready for President Barack Obama's signature by week's end.
• Over 15,000 Ukrainian servicemen in Crimea pass to Russian military service VoR 26 Mar 2014 -- More than 15,000 servicemen from Ukrainian military units, formations and organisations previously deployed in the Russian Republic of Crimea said they wanted to continue military service in Russian law enforcement agencies, Crimean government told Itar-Tass on Wednesday.
• 'External threat eliminated': self-defense detachments of Sevastopol disbanded VoR 26 Mar 2014 -- Chairman of the Coordinating Council of the Sevastopol city administration Alexey Chaly has signed a decree 'On the cessation of operation of militias' on Tuesday.
• Obama Says 'Russia Stands Alone' RFE/RL 26 Mar 2014 -- U.S. President Barack Obama has said during his visit to European Union headquarters in Brussels that 'Russia stands alone' after Moscow's recent conduct in Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula
• Ultranationalist's Death Signals Split Between Maidan Leaders – Lawmaker RIA Novosti 26 Mar 2014 -- The killing by Ukrainian law enforcement of a notorious ultranationalist wanted for war atrocities is a sign of an emerging rift in the new leadership in Kiev that illegally seized power in a coup last month, a senior Russian lawmaker said Wednesday.
• Crimean Military Dolphins to Serve in Russian Navy RIA Novosti 26 Mar 2014 -- The combat dolphin program in the Crimean city of Sevastopol will be preserved and redirected towards the interests of the Russian Navy, an employee at the facility where the dolphins are trained told RIA Novosti.
• Russian Flags Raised at All Crimean Military Units RIA Novosti 26 Mar 2014 -- Russian flags have been raised at all military units in Crimea, less than a week after the Russian leader signed a decree finalizing the reunification of the former Ukrainian region, Russia's military chief said Wednesday.
• Obama: US, EU 'United in Our Support' of Ukraine VOA 26 Mar 2014 -- Wrapping up meetings with European officials in Brussels, U.S. President Barack Obama said that Europe is America's closest partner and called for the creation of a united front for Russia to "feel the consequences of its actions in Ukraine."
• Ukrainian Troops In Crimea Face 'Stay Or Go' Dilemma RFE/RL 25 Mar 2014 -- Ukraine's acting President Oleksandr Turchnyov on March 24 ordered Kyiv's Defense Ministry to withdraw all Ukrainian troops from Crimea. But many soldiers and their families have no place to go on the mainland unless Kyiv provides support.
• Obama: Russia Acting 'Out of Weakness' on Ukraine VOA 25 Mar 2014 -- President Barack Obama said Russia was acting 'out of weakness' and not strength in its annexation of Crimea from Ukraine.
• US Lawmakers Worry Ukraine Crisis Will Impact Nuclear Proliferation VOA 25 Mar 2014 -- U.S. senators debating aid to Ukraine say Russia's annexation of Crimea decades after Kyiv surrendered its nuclear arsenal could weaken nuclear non-proliferation efforts around the world. The argument is one of many being voiced on Capitol Hill for a strong U.S. response to Russia's actions in Ukraine.
• Ukrainian radicals demand Interior Minister's dismissal for Sashko Bily murder VoR 25 Mar 2014 -- The Ukrainian radical group Right Sector demands Interior Minister Arsen Avakov's immediate dismissal and the arrest of members of the Sokil (Falcon) special task force involved in killing nationalist leader Aleksander Muzychko nicknamed Sashko Bily in the Rivne region early on Tuesday.
• Ukraine leaders' stance seriously threatening Non-Proliferation Treaty - Moscow VoR 25 Mar 2014 -- Russia has rejected the claims of a Ukrainian delegate to the Nuclear Security Summit in The Hague that Russia is allegedly threatening the security of nuclear sites in Ukraine. 'This is a pure and simple attempt to shift the blame,' the Russian delegation said in a statement released by the Russian Foreign Ministry on Tuesday. 'The dysfunctional new Kiev authorities may pose a threat to the security of Ukrainian nuclear sites under the current Ukrainian circumstances but this is definitely not Russia,' it stressed.
• Press Conference with President Obama and Prime Minister Rutte of the Netherlands The White House 25 Mar 2014
• Joint Statement by the United States and Ukraine The White House 25 Mar 2014
• Obama: Russia's Illegal Annexation of Crimea Not 'Done Deal' VOA 25 Mar 2014 -- U.S. President Barack Obama said Tuesday that he's worried about further encroachment of Russia into Ukraine after the annexation of Crimea.
• Obama Says Allies Won't Back Down Over Crimea RFE/RL 25 Mar 2014 -- U.S. President Barack Obama has indicated that the United States and its allies will not back down in pressuring Russia over the annexation of Crimea.
• NATO Concerned About Russian Military Buildup Near Ukraine Border RFE/RL 25 Mar 2014 -- NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen has expressed concern about a large increase in Russian troops and armaments along Ukraine's eastern frontier following its annexation of Crimea.
• Profile: Who Was Right Sector's Oleksandr Muzychko? RFE/RL 25 Mar 2014 -- Oleksandr Muzychko, a prominent member of Ukraine's controversial Right Sector movement, was shot dead overnight in the western Ukrainian city of Rivne.
• Crimea Dispute Tests Serbian Government's Middle Course RFE/RL 25 Mar 2014 -- Serbia's delicate path between the European Union and traditional partner Russia is being tested as relations between Moscow and the West fray over the crisis in Ukraine's Crimea.
• Russia Poses No Threat to Ukraine's Nuclear Sites – Russian FM RIA Novosti 25 Mar 2014 -- The Russian Foreign Ministry dismissed allegations Tuesday that Moscow is threatening nuclear sites in Ukraine as an attempt to redirect blame for ongoing instability in the country away from the new Ukrainian government.
• Moscow Reaffirms Ukrainian Servicemen Free to Leave Crimea RIA Novosti 25 Mar 2014 -- Ukraine's military personnel may leave the Crimean Peninsula unhindered, but the Russian military has yet to decide if they will be permitted to take their weapons with them, the Kremlin said Tuesday.
• Ukraine Far-Right Defense Minister Resigns, Replacement Appointed RIA Novosti 25 Mar 2014 -- The parliament of Ukraine on Tuesday appointed Mykhail Koval as acting defense minister following a narrow vote to allow the resignation of Ihor Tenyukh from the post earlier in the day.
• Ukraine removes its remaining troops from Crimea and Sevastopol VoR 25 Mar 2014 -- Oleksandr Turchynov, the Verkhovna Rada Speaker and acting president of Ukraine, appointed by Verkhovna Rada signed a decree on the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the Crimea and Sevastopol. Meanwhile, in Crimea a temporary working committee was formed in order to address the issue of returning to the republic from the territory of Ukraine military personnel and prisoners.
• The Hague Declaration The White House 24 Mar 2014
• Pro-Russian forces seize another Ukrainian vessel Iran Press TV 24 Mar 2014 -- Pro-Russian forces have stormed and captured a Ukrainian navy ship in western Crimea as Russian forces have been seizing Ukrainian military facilities for several days in the Black Sea peninsula.
• Crimea adopts Russian ruble as official currency Iran Press TV 24 Mar 2014 -- Russian currency, the ruble, has become the official currency of Crimea, the Black Sea peninsula's prime minister says.
• Kiev orders its troops to withdraw from Crimea Iran Press TV 24 Mar 2014 -- Ukraine's interim president has ordered full withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the strategic Black Sea Crimean Peninsula.
• Russian troops seize Ukraine naval base in Crimea Iran Press TV 24 Mar 2014 -- Russian troops have taken over a Ukrainian marine base in the Crimean port of Feodosia as pro-Russians have been seizing Ukrainian military facilities for several days in the Black Sea peninsula.
• Ukraine-EU Pact Signals Step Towards NATO – Russian Ministry Source RIA Novosti 24 Mar 2014 -- The signing of a political pact between Ukraine and the European Union is a hasty step which points to the prospect of closer military ties between Kiev and NATO, a Russian foreign ministry source said Monday.
• No Ukrainian Military Units Left in Crimea - Official RIA Novosti 24 Mar 2014 -- All military units stationed in Crimea are now under the control of the Russian military, and remaining Ukrainian servicemen are departing the peninsula, the region's first deputy prime minister, Rustam Temirgaliyev, said on Monday.
• Lights turn on in outage-ridden districts of Simferopol VoR 24 Mar 2014 -- The supply of electricity has been restored to the outage-ridden districts of Simferopol, to the Kievsky District of the administrative center of the Republic of Crimea and to the Old City. The outages lasted more than four hours.
• Russia defense minister pays visit to Crimea Iran Press TV 24 Mar 2014 -- Russian defense minister has paid a visit to Crimea as all troops loyal to Ukraine leave their bases on the strategic Black Sea peninsula.
• Obama Says U.S., EU United On Punishing Russia RFE/RL 24 Mar 2014 -- U.S. President Barack Obama has said the United States and Europe are united in holding Russia to account for its actions in Crimea.
• Ukraine Gives Russia Ultimatum to Free Officers VOA 24 Mar 2014 -- The government of Ukraine has given Russia an ultimatum to free Ukrainian generals and admirals who are being held in Crimea. The warning came at a press briefing by government officials in Kyiv on Monday.
• Obama: Russia to Suffer Ukraine Costs VOA 24 Mar 2014 -- U.S. President Barack Obama says the United States and Europe are united in imposing a cost on Russia for its actions in Ukraine.
• G7 Leaders to Hold Crisis Talks on Ukraine VOA 23 Mar 2014 -- President Barack Obama and other leaders of G7 industrialized nations are set to hold emergency talks Monday in The Hague to sharpen their response to the Russian annexation of Ukraine's Crimea peninsula.
• Ukraine Defiant Amid Further Russian Threat to Sovereignty VOA 23 Mar 2014 -- Warnings from various quarters, including Ukraine's interim government, NATO's top military commander and the chairman of the U.S. House Intelligence Committee, that Russian forces are poised to go beyond Crimea, are prompting calls for a more robust response from Washington and other Western capitals.
• Ukraine Crisis to Dominate Obama's Europe Trip VOA 23 Mar 2014 -- President Barack Obama arrives in Europe later Monday for G-7 and E.U. meetings expected to be overshadowed by Russia's annexation of Crimea and the threat of further Russian incursions into Ukraine.
• Annexed by Russia, Crimea Could See Growing Financial, Travel Woes VOA 23 Mar 2014 -- Russia's annexation of Crimea from Ukraine could see the peninsula's economy suffer and the region isolated from the international community.
• NATO Commander Warns of Russian Threat to Transdniestria VOA 23 Mar 2014 -- NATO's top military commander said on Sunday that Russia had built up a large force on Ukraine's eastern border and he was worried Moscow may be eyeing Moldova's mainly Russian-speaking separatist Transdniestria region after annexing Crimea.
• 'Interethnic conflicts in Crimea are myth' - Crimea's Deputy PM VoR 23 Mar 2014 -- In an interview with Krymiform news agency, Crimea's Deputy Prime Minister Olga Kovitidi said that no conflicts between nationalities exist in Crimea. "These conflicts are being artificially provoked by people who have recently seized power in Ukraine," Ms. Kovitidi said, "and who are trying to pursue their own goals by stirring such conflicts."
• US should consider dissolving NATO – State Duma deputy Pushkov VoR 23 Mar 2014 -- Head of the State Duma Committee on Foreign Affairs, Alexei Pushkov has offered Washington, that stands for the demilitarization of Crimea, a counter initiative; to eliminate NATO. 'The idea of ​​demilitarization of Crimea is a stillborn one. It is within the competence of neither Ukraine, nor the United States. Why not discuss the dissolution of NATO?' the committee head wrote Friday in his Twitter account.
• Thousands of Odessites protest against coup d'etat and political repressions in Ukraine VoR 23 Mar 2014 -- Thousands of Odessites are protesting today against the coup d'etat in Ukraine and the political repression that followed. They brought the flags of Ukraine, Russia and the Crimea, chanting 'Ukraine and Russia stand together', 'Odessa is a Russian city', 'Odessa is against Nazis and oligarchs', 'Odessa, give Banderovites the bum's rush', 'Referendum.'
• Crimea's reunification with Russia not violate stability in Europe - Russian FM VoR 23 Mar 2014 -- The Republic of Crimea's reunification with Russia does not violate military and political stability in Europe, Director of the security and disarmament department of the Russian Foreign Ministry Mikhail Ulyanov said on Sunday.
• White House: Russian forces may want to move into Ukraine Iran Press TV 23 Mar 2014 -- The administration of US President Barack Obama has expressed "deep concern" about a reported Russian military buildup near the Ukrainian border, saying Moscow may want to invade Ukraine.
• Chances of war with Russia growing: Ukraine FM Iran Press TV 23 Mar 2014 -- Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Deshchytsia has claimed that the likelihood of an armed conflict with Russia was "very high and growing".
• US lawmakers demand US send arms to Ukraine Iran Press TV 23 Mar 2014 -- A number of US lawmakers are demanding the US administration to send arms to Ukraine.
• East Ukrainians rally in support of Crimea-style vote Iran Press TV 23 Mar 2014 -- Thousands of people have staged rallies in at least two major Eastern Ukrainian cities, calling for a referendum like the one held in the Crimean region to secede from the former Soviet state and join Russia.
• Kyiv Says Chance Of War With Russia 'Growing' RFE/RL 23 Mar 2014 -- Ukraine's acting Foreign Minister Andriy Deshchytsya has said that the chances of war between his country and Russia are growing.
• Ukrainian Navy Flagship Hoists Russian Flag RIA Novosti 23 Mar 2014 -- The Ukrainian Navy flaghsip Slavutich has raised the Russian flag in Sevastopol, local media said Sunday.
• Ukraine Closes Border with Crimea RIA Novosti 23 Mar 2014 -- Ukrainian border guards closed the exit from the Republic of Crimea, local authorities said on Saturday.
• Carl Bildt: 'Every Carrot To Kyiv Is A Stick To Moscow' RFE/RL 23 Mar 2014 -- Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt has been one of the European Union's most active voices when it comes to the bloc's eastern neighbors over the past eight years. On the sidelines of the German Marshall Fund's annual Brussels Forum on March 23, he sat down with RFE/RL correspondent Rikard Jozwiak to talk about the latest developments in Ukraine, his thoughts on possible Russian involvement in Transdniester, and what role the West can play in countries who find themselves pitted between Russia and the EU.
• Belarusian President Says Crimean Annexation 'Bad Precedent' RFE/RL 23 Mar 2014 -- Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka says Russia's annexation of Crimea is a 'bad precedent,' but acknowledged that the region is now a 'de facto' part of Russia.
• With Ukraine Base Seizures, Russia Moves to Consolidate Control of Crimea VOA 22 Mar 2014 -- Russian soldiers and militiamen have stormed a Ukrainian air force base in Crimea, firing shots and smashing through gates and walls with armored vehicles, bringing a days-long standoff with Ukrainian soldiers to an end.
• Donetsk: Thousands rally in support of President Yanukovych VoR 22 Mar 2014 -- About 2,000 people rallied in the centre of the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk on Saturday, March 22, demanding a referendum on the future of the region.
• Russia hopes OSCE mission in Ukraine will help to resolve internal crisis VoR 22 Mar 2014 -- Russia hopes that sending the OSCE mission to Ukraine will contribute to overcoming the crisis in the country, stop the rampant nationalist banditry and contribute to achieving national accord, the Foreign Ministry of the Russian Federation says.
• OSCE to send monitors to Ukraine, Moscow hopes it stops extremists' attacks VoR 22 Mar 2014 -- Russia joined the 56 other members of the OSCE on Friday in a consensus decision to send a six-month monitoring mission initially numbering 100 people to Ukraine.
• Kiev authorities giving school camps to neo-Nazis for military training VoR 22 Mar 2014 -- The leader of the Ukrainian neo-Nazi organization The Right Sector Dmitry Yarosh has been given the property and funds of 23 children's holiday camps for training youth ranks for the Ukrainian National Guard. The youth wing of The Right Sector mostly consists of under-age football ultras and adherents to Ukrainian nationalism. They were the backbone of Euromaidan hardliners who took part in armed clashes with Berkut, the elite riot police, that ended with storming the government buildings and seizing power in Kiev.
• US 'very concerned' about Russia forces near Ukraine border Iran Press TV 22 Mar 2014 -- The administration of US President Barack Obama says Washington is "very concerned" about Russian forces near Ukraine's eastern and southern borders, saying training exercises might not be the only purpose they are there for.
• Russian forces take over Ukraine base in Crimea Iran Press TV 22 Mar 2014 -- Russian forces have seized an airbase in Crimea Peninsula using at least two armored vehicles to break into the last Ukrainian military stronghold in the newly-incorporated territory.
• Ukraine's Military Bases Targeted In Crimea RFE/RL 22 Mar 2014 -- Two Ukrainian air bases in Crimea have been overrun by pro-Russian forces.
• Crimean Tatars, Still Living In Shadow Of 1944, Invoke Fears Of Ethnic Cleansing RFE/RL 22 Mar 2014
• Germany's Steinmeier Warns Against New Division Of Europe RFE/RL 22 Mar 2014 -- German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier has denounced Russia's 'attempt to splinter Europe' by backing an independence referendum in Ukraine's Crimea region earlier this month.
• 2,000 out of 18,000 Ukrainian Troops to Leave Crimea RIA Novosti 22 Mar 2014 -- Less than 2,000 of Ukrainian troops serving in Crimea decided to leave the peninsula for Ukraine, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Saturday.
• Russian Navy Flag Raised at Ukraine's Only Sub RIA Novosti 22 Mar 2014 -- The St.Andrew's flag of the Russian Navy was raised on Ukraine's only submarine, the Zaporizhzhia, on Saturday.
• Diplomatic solution only way to resolve Russia-Ukraine crisis, Ban stresses in Kyiv UN News Centre 22 Mar 2014 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Saturday reiterated his message that only a diplomatic solution, based on the ideals of the United Nations Charter, would solve the current crisis between Russia and Ukraine.
• NATO, Ukraine join 2 weeks of military drills Iran Press TV 21 Mar 2014 -- NATO member states and their partner nations including Ukraine have begun two weeks of military exercises as tensions between West and Russia rage over the Crimea Peninsula.
• Readout of Secretary Hagel's Call With Ukrainian Minister of Defense Tenyukh DoD 21 Mar 2014
• Ceremony signing the laws on admitting Crimea and Sevastopol to the Russian Federation President of Russia 21 Mar 2014 -- A ceremony signing the laws on admitting the Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol to the Russian Federation took place at the Kremlin.
• Laws on admitting Crimea and Sevastopol to the Russian Federation President of Russia 21 Mar 2014 -- Vladimir Putin signed Federal Constitutional Law On Admitting to the Russian Federation the Republic of Crimea and Establishing within the Russian Federation the New Constituent Entities of the Republic of Crimea and the City of Federal Importance Sevastopol, and Federal Law On Ratifying the Agreement between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Crimea on Admitting to the Russian Federation the Republic of Crimea and Establishing within the Russian Federation New Constituent Entities.
• Kiev, EU sign 'political provisions' of association deal Iran Press TV 21 Mar 2014 -- European Council President Herman Van Rompuy says Ukraine's interim government has signed the "political" provisions of an association agreement with the EU.
• Russia's Federation Council approves Crimea reunion Iran Press TV 21 Mar 2014 -- Russia's upper house of parliament has voted in favor of a treaty that officially makes Ukraine's strategic Black Sea peninsula of Crimea part of the Russian Federation.
• Putin signs Crimea reunification documents Iran Press TV 21 Mar 2014 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed into law the documents officially making Crimea part of Russian territory.
• Kyiv Signs EU Agreement As Putin Signs Crimea Annexation RFE/RL 21 Mar 2014 -- Moscow has completed the process of making Ukraine's Crimea part of Russia, as Ukraine's prime minister, in a highly symbolic move, signed a political cooperation agreement with the European Union.
• Russia's Federation Council To Endorse Crimea Annexation RFE/RL 21 Mar 2014 -- Russia's Federation Council, the upper house of parliament, was expected to endorse the annexation of Crimea at a meeting on March 21.
• EU Signs Association Agreement With Ukraine RFE/RL 21 Mar 2014 -- The European Union has signed the political provisions of an association agreement with Ukraine in Brussels.
• Medvedev Warns Ukraine of Possible State Collapse RIA Novosti 21 Mar 2014 -- The ongoing "rule of radicals, militants and bandits" may result in the collapse of the Ukrainian state, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev wrote in his Facebook page on Friday.
• 72 Crimean Military Units Request Joining Russia RIA Novosti 21 Mar 2014 -- A total of 72 military units in Crimea have hoisted Russian flags instead of Ukrainian and applied to join the Russian armed forces, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Friday.
• Putin Signs Final Crimea Reunification Decree RIA Novosti 21 Mar 2014 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree Friday on the ratification of the treaty providing for the reunification of the Crimean Peninsula with Russia.
• Russia Upper House Approves Reunification of Crimea RIA Novosti 21 Mar 2014 -- Russia's upper house of parliament on Friday ratified the treaty providing for the reunification of the Crimean Peninsula with Russia.
• With tensions high, Ban urges 'real' dialogue between Kyiv and Moscow to resolve crisis UN News Centre 21 Mar 2014 -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today urged "real dialogue" between Kyiv and Moscow to peacefully resolve the current crisis, during a visit to the Ukrainian capital following discussions with Russian officials yesterday.
• Putin Signs Law Officially Annexing Crimea VOA 21 Mar 2014 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday signed into law legislation completing the annexation of Crimea, calling it a 'remarkable event.'
• Ukraine Signs EU Accord as Russia Annexes Crimea VOA 21 Mar 2014 -- As Ukraine took a historic step closer to Europe, its strategic, predominately Russian-speaking province of Crimea went firmly into Moscow's grip. President Putin signed bills at the Kremlin completing its annexation.
• Power in Ukraine seized by radicals, militants, bandits - Russian PM Medvedev VoR 21 Mar 2014 -- Power in Ukraine was seized by radicals, militants and bandits, this is extremely dangerous and will entail collapse of the state, Russian Prime Minister, Dmitry Medvedev, has written on his page in Facebook. Crimea and Sevastopol have made their choice, and Moscow's goal is friendly relations with Ukraine and other neighbors, Medvedev said.
• Obama Expands Sanctions Against Russia VOA 20 Mar 2014 -- U.S. President Barack Obama announced on Thursday morning a series of expanded sanctions against Russia over its annexation of the Crimean peninsula.
• Statement by the President on Ukraine The White House 20 Mar 2014
• Background Briefing on Ukraine by Senior Administration Officials The White House 20 Mar 2014
• Hagel Gets Assurances About Russian Troops on Ukraine Border AFPS 20 Mar 2014 -- Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoygu assured Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel that Russian troops along the Russia-Ukraine border are there solely for exercise purposes and will not cross over into Ukrainian territory, Pentagon Press Secretary Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby said today.
• Pro-Russian forces board 3 Ukrainian warships Iran Press TV 20 Mar 2014 -- Pro-Russian forces have seized three Ukrainian warships in the strategic Black Sea peninsula of Crimea as Ukraine says its troops are being threatened in the breakaway region.
• EU poised to slap more sanctions on Russia over Crimea Iran Press TV 20 Mar 2014 -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel says the European Union (EU) will impose more sanctions on Russia following its decision to annex Ukraine's strategic Black Sea peninsula of Crimea.
• In Russia, Ban calls for 'honest and constructive dialogue between Kyiv and Moscow' UN News Centre 20 Mar 2014 -- Leading diplomatic efforts to encourage all parties involved in the Ukraine crisis to find a peaceful solution, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon met today with Russian President Vladimir Putin and emphasized the need for de-escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine, and restoring the "brotherly relationship" between the two countries.
• Time to end condoning of Ukrainian Right Sector militants, Svoboda activists - Lavrov VoR 20 Mar 2014 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told United States Secretary of State John Kerry by telephone on Thursday that Washington should stop condoning Ukrainian nationalists and extremists.
• Lavrov tells Kerry Russia's Crimea move will not be revisited, must be respected VoR 20 Mar 2014 -- The decision of Crimea to reunite with Russia, 'reflecting the will of the absolute majority of its residents, is not subject to revision' and must be respected, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told his US counterpart John Kerry on Thursday.
• Ukraine is lying while explaining suspension of its chairmanship in CIS – Russia VoR 20 Mar 2014 -- Kiev's reasons for suspending its chairmanship in the CIS did not correspond to reality, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Thursday. On Thursday the new authorities in Kiev decided to quit the CIS, the organization of former Soviet Republics.
• Obama to Reassure Europe as Ukraine Crisis Deepens VOA 20 Mar 2014 -- As Russia consolidates its power over the Crimean region of Ukraine, President Barack Obama is heading to Europe for talks with allies in a bid to pressure Moscow.
• Russia Duma ratifies Crimea reunification treaty Iran Press TV 20 Mar 2014 -- Russia's lower house of parliament, the State Duma, has overwhelmingly approved a treaty to annex Ukraine's strategic Black Sea peninsula of Crimea into the Russian Federation.
• Moscow puzzled by some of names on US sanctions list - Putin spokesman VoR 20 Mar 2014 -- Moscow is studying Washington's list of individuals against whom sanctions were imposed, and already puzzled by some of the names, Russian President's Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov said.
• Russia's lower parliament ratifies Crimea reunification treaty VoR 20 Mar 2014 -- The State Duma, Russia's lower house of parliament, ratified the historic Crimea reunification treaty at its additional session on Thursday. A total of 443 State Duma deputies supported the ratificiation and only one voted against, while 300 yeas were necessary. The agreement will be provisionally applied from the date of its signing and will enter into force since the date of its ratification.
• Military infrastructure to adjust for protecting Crimea from possible intrusions - Russian Defense Ministry VoR 20 Mar 2014 -- The Russian Armed Forces will adjust their development plans in the context of the entry of Crimea and Sevastopol into Russia, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov told reporters on Thursday.
• Amid Russian Threats, Ukraine Asks US Diplomat for Help VOA 20 Mar 2014 -- As the U.S. president announced tougher economic sanctions to punish Russia for moving to annex Crimea, one of his top diplomats was in the Ukrainian capital to reassure nervous Ukrainians of America's solidarity with them while they are vulnerable.
• Russia's Duma Ratifies Crimea Annexation RFE/RL 20 Mar 2014 -- Russia's State Duma has ratified an agreement that makes Crimea part of the Russian Federation. The agreement is expected to be endorsed by the upper house of parliament on March 21.
• Federal State Is Only Solution for Ukraine – Lavrov RIA Novosti 20 Mar 2014 -- Making Ukraine a federal state is the only way to stabilize situation in the country, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Thursday.
• Breaking Defense Ties With Russia Would Hurt Ukraine – Official RIA Novosti 20 Mar 2014 -- Ukraine would be inflicting unnecessary damage upon itself if it breaks off ongoing cooperation with Russia's defense industry, a senior Russian official said Thursday.
• Russia Uncovers Arms Smuggling Route Through Ukraine RIA Novosti 20 Mar 2014 -- Russian law enforcement raided an arms group that smuggled weapons to the country's North Caucasus from the European Union via Ukraine, the country's Federal Security Service said Thursday.
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel's Meeting with Ukrainian Minister of Defense Ihor Tenyukh DoD 19 Mar 2014
• NATO Secretary General: Russia Must Suffer Consequences AFPS 19 Mar 2014 -- There must be consequences for Russia's actions against Ukraine, the NATO secretary general said at the Brookings Institute here today.
• Russia Issuing Passports In Crimea; Ukraine Introducing Visas For Russians RFE/RL 19 Mar 2014 -- Russia has begun issuing Russian passports to residents of Crimea, saying they are now Russian citizens.
• Ban heads to Russia and Ukraine amid rising tensions; Security Council briefed on latest events UN News Centre 19 Mar 2014 -- With Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon headed to Russia and Ukraine as part of his diplomatic efforts to de-escalate current tensions, the Security Council heard senior United Nations officials in New York urge adherence to fundamental principles of the UN Charter, including respect for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and ensuring respect for the human rights of all.
• Remarks by Ambassador Samantha Power, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, at a Security Council Meeting on Ukraine, March 19, 2014 U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations 19 Mar 2014
• US, NATO Warn Russia Faces 'High Costs' Over Crimea VOA 19 Mar 2014 -- Russia is refusing to back down in the face of U.S. and European sanctions imposed over Moscow's annexation of Crimea. Russia's latest actions have touched off a new round of worry for Russia's Western-leaning neighbors and more warnings from Washington.
• Roundup: Opinions on Ukraine from American and Foreign Media VOA 19 Mar 2014 -- The crisis in Ukraine has captured global attention and is generating a wide spectrum of opinion on its causes and solutions. Newspapers, blogs and other media are publishing a variety of commentaries and editorials on what's to be done and who's to blame.
• Cyber Peace Reigns Despite Russia, Ukraine Tensions VOA 19 Mar 2014 -- While tensions on the ground in Ukraine are rising almost daily, one area of potential conflict is eerily quiet.
• Pro-Russian Forces Seize Ukraine Navy HQ VOA 19 Mar 2014 -- Pro-Russian forces have taken control of Ukraine's navy headquarters in the Crimean port of Sevastopol, a day after Russia signed a treaty with local authorities to make Crimea part of Russia.
• Tensions Rise In Crimea After Russian Annexation RFE/RL 19 Mar 2014 -- Tensions are escalating in Crimea, one day after Russia annexed the Ukrainian region.
• UN Chief Heads To Moscow, Kyiv Amid Western Warnings RFE/RL 19 Mar 2014 -- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is heading to Russia and Ukraine amid the escalating crisis over Crimea.
• Four lessons to be learned from the Ukraine crisis People's Daily 19 Mar 2014 -- Ukraine has become the final battlefield in the 'cold war', and it is becoming a possibility that the crisis will trigger a second 'cold war'. The Crimean parliament's declaration of independence from Ukraine ahead of the March 16 referendum indicates that Crimea may go ahead and join Russia. The tug of war between Russia and western countries teaches us four things.
• Ukrainian navy base captured in Crimea: Reports Iran Press TV 19 Mar 2014 -- Crimea's pro-Russian self-defense forces have taken control of a second Ukrainian navy base in western Crimea, reports say.
• UN Chief Heads to Moscow, Kyiv VOA 19 Mar 2014 -- U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will leave for Moscow and Kyiv Wednesday, in a bid to help diplomatically resolve the crisis over the Crimean peninsula. The Security Council will meet Wednesday afternoon to discuss latest developments.
• Donetsk Russians Say Only Putin Can Save Them VOA 19 Mar 2014 -- It is a frigid evening in Donetsk's Lenin Square, but the cold has not deterred a small crowd from maintaining a weeks-long protest against the new Ukraine government in Kyiv. They say they want to follow Crimea and break with Ukraine and join the Russian Federation.
• Ukraine introduces visa regime with Russia, puts army on full combat alert VoR 19 Mar 2014 -- The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has been ordered to introduce visa regulations with Russia, Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council Secretary Andriy Parubiy said following a council meeting. He also said that instructions had been given to Ukraine's Security Service, Interior Ministry and Armed Forces to carry out the order to put the Armed Forces of Ukraine to full combat readiness.
• Australia imposes sanctions against 12 Russians and Ukrainians, Russia to ban beef imports VoR 19 Mar 2014 -- Australia on Wednesday joined the United States and the EU in imposing financial sanctions and travel bans against 12 unnamed Russian and Ukrainian individuals. According to the Rosselkhoznadzor (Russian Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance) head, Sergey Dankvert, Moscow can ban import of Australian beef to Russia.
• Commander of Ukrainian Naval Forces Gaiduk detained VoR 19 Mar 2014 -- Ukrainian Naval Forces Commander Sergey Gaiduk has been temporarily detained.
• Fatal incident in Simferopol 'provocation' - Russia's ambassador to NATO VoR 19 Mar 2014 -- Russia has discussed with senior NATO military officials the tragic incident which killed a Ukrainian soldier in Simferopol and a Crimean self-defense fighter, Russian Ambassador to NATO Alexander Grushko told Interfax in Brussels. 'We have informed them that we see this incident as a provocation. The Russian troops were not involved in it, there was no storming of the Ukrainian military base as claimed by the authorities in Kiev. The incident is now being investigated, those guilty will not walk away from the responsibility,' the official said on Wednesday.
• Radical Ukrainian group announces recruitment of guerilla units VoR 19 Mar 2014 -- The radical Ukrainian movement Spilna Sprava (Common Cause) has announced the dismantlement of its tent city on Independence Square in Kiev and a start for training guerilla units to fight Russian forces.
• Ukrainian Forces Leave Navy Headquarters in Orderly Droves RIA Novosti 19 Mar 2014 -- Representatives of the self-defense forces of Crimea have occupied Ukraine's navy headquarters in the Crimean city Sevastopol, organizing the orderly departure of the Ukrainian military forces inside.
• Putin Submits Crimea Reunification Treaty to Parliament RIA Novosti 19 Mar 2014 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday submitted the Crimea reunification treaty to the parliament for ratification, the legislature's press service said.
• Russian Constitutional Court Backs Crimea Reunification RIA Novosti 19 Mar 2014 -- Russia's Constitutional Court unanimously ruled Wednesday that a treaty reunifying the Ukrainian breakaway region of Crimea with Russia is lawful.
• Ukraine Sends Protest Note to Russia Over Crimea Crisis RIA Novosti 19 Mar 2014 -- Ukraine's Foreign Ministry has summoned Russian envoy Andrei Vorobyov to hand him a letter of protest against Crimea's reunification treaty with Moscow.
• Crimean Tatars Will Have to Vacate Land – Official RIA Novosti 19 Mar 2014 -- Ukraine's breakaway region of Crimea will ask Tatars to vacate part of the land where they now live in exchange for new territory elsewhere in the region, a top Crimean government official said Tuesday.
• In Crimea, Baku's Moment Of Truth RFE/RL 19 Mar 2014 -- 'Let's speak about it after the referendum. Azerbaijan has always honored and will honor the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and inviolability of borders that are regulating relations among states,' said Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov, when asked about Baku's position on the Crimean referendum to join Russia.
• Address by President of the Russian Federation President of Russia 18 Mar 2014 -- Vladimir Putin addressed State Duma deputies, Federation Council members, heads of Russian regions and civil society representatives in the Kremlin.
• Agreement on the accession of the Republic of Crimea to the Russian Federation signed President of Russia 18 Mar 2014 -- The Agreement between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Crimea on the Accession of the Republic of Crimea in the Russian Federation and on Forming New Constituent Entities within the Russian Federation was signed in the Kremlin on March 18, 2014.
• Moscow Opposed to NATO Presence on Historic Russian Territory RIA Novosti 18 Mar 2014 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday that the country was open to further cooperation with NATO, but remained opposed to the organization's presence in historic Russian territories.
• Russia's Lavrov tells US's Kerry sanctions 'unacceptable', threatens consequences VoR 18 Mar 2014 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Tuesday told his US counterpart John Kerry that Western sanctions against Moscow over Crimea were 'absolutely unacceptable' and said there would be consequences.
• US seizing right to determine world destinies - Russia's Putin VoR 18 Mar 2014 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused the United States and their allies of seizing the right to decide the destinies of the world, create coalitions according to the "who is not with us is against us" principle, at the same time ignoring the UN decisions.
• US vows more sanctions after Russia unites with Crimea VoR 18 Mar 2014 -- The White House vowed on Tuesday to level more sanctions against Russia for its moves to unify with the Crimea.
• Israeli Defence Minister accuses US of 'demonstrating weakness' in Ukraine, wants harder stance on Iran VoR 18 Mar 2014 -- Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon has hardened his stance on Iran following developments in nuclear talks with the West and would now back a unilateral Israeli strike, a newspaper reported on Tuesday. Yaalon also accused Washington of 'demonstrating weakness' in the Ukraine crisis in comments published by Haaretz newspaper.
• Tensions Spike After Russians Fire on Ukrainian Troops, Killing 1 VOA 18 Mar 2014 -- Ukraine's prime minister said today that the conflict in Crimea has entered a military phase and accused Russia of commiting a 'war crime' by firing on Ukrainian servicemen.
• NATO Secretary General condemns moves to incorporate Crimea into Russian Federation NATO 18 Mar 2014
• Readout of the President's Call with Chancellor Merkel of Germany The White House 18 Mar 2014
• President Putin signs treaty of bringing Crimea, Sevastopol into Russia VoR 18 Mar 2014 -- Russia and Crimea have signed treaty of accession of the Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol in the Russian Federation following President Putin's address to the Parliament. Crimea and Sevastopol are joining Russia as two separate regions, President Putin said.
• Crimean referendum follows Kosovo precedent - Russia's Putin VoR 18 Mar 2014 -- Russia's President Vladimir Putin appeals to the decisions the UN and the US made on the Kosovo precedent in the situation with the Crimean referendum.
• Ukraine's soldiers in Crimea allowed to use weapons VoR 18 Mar 2014 -- Ukraine issued orders on Tuesday permitting its soldiers in Crimea to use weapons to protect their lives, Acting President Oleksander Turchinov's press service said.
• Russia's Putin, Crimean Leaders Sign Annexation Treaty RFE/RL 18 Mar 2014 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin and Crimean leaders have signed treaties making Ukraine's Crimea and the city of Sevastopol part of the Russian Federation.
• Putin, Biden Spar As Moscow Pushes Ahead On Crimea RFE/RL 18 Mar 2014 -- It may come to be seen as the high point of Russian President Vladimir Putin's career. In a glittering Kremlin hall and before an audience of rapt and appreciative Russian officials, Putin gave his defining speech on the situation in Crimea.
• U.S., NATO Allies Condemn Russian 'Land Grab' In Ukraine RFE/RL 18 Mar 2014 -- The United States and its NATO allies have condemned Russia's annexation of Ukraine's Crimea as a 'land grab' in violation of international law, and warned that Moscow faces the prospect of more Western sanctions.
• Obama Calls for G7 Meeting After Putin Signs Treaty to Annex Crimea VOA 18 Mar 2014 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin and Crimean leaders signed a treaty Tuesday to make the Black Sea peninsula part of Russia, while the White House announced the United States and its G7 allies will gather next week to consider further response to the Crimea crisis.
• Putin signs treaty to incorporate Crimea Iran Press TV 18 Mar 2014 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin signs a treaty making Crimea part of Russia and accuses the United States of basing its policies on the rule of the gun and not international law.
• US VP denounces Crimea's reunion with Russia as 'land grab' Iran Press TV 18 Mar 2014 -- US Vice President Joe Biden has called the autonomous Ukrainian region of Crimea's reunion with Russia a "land grab" by Moscow and a "blatant violation of international law."
• Ukraine gearing up for war over Crimea Iran Press TV 18 Mar 2014 -- The Ukrainian government has adopted an emergency military buildup and called up reservists as part of preparations for a war, one day after Crimea voted to secede from Ukraine and join Russia.
• Dictator's Handbook: Six Regrettable Lessons To Take Away From Crimea Crisis RFE/RL 18 Mar 2014 -- The speed and ease with which Russia reclaimed its hold on the Crimean Peninsula have left much of the world reeling. But the factors that went into it were years in the making. Here are six life lessons for acquisitive future dictators and countries trying to break free of them.
• Pro-Russian Forces Attacked in Crimea, One Dead – Report RIA Novosti 18 Mar 2014 -- One pro-Russian militiaman was killed and two other wounded on Tuesday in a sniper attack on the streets of the Crimean capital, Simferopol, local media reported.
• Putin Blames Ukrainian Nationalists for Crimea Secession RIA Novosti 18 Mar 2014 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that Ukrainian nationalists bore full responsibility for the civil crisis in the country which resulted in the reunification of Crimea with Russia.
• Russia, Crimea Sign Historic Reunification Treaty RIA Novosti 18 Mar 2014 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin and the leaders of Crimea signed a treaty Tuesday reunifying the Ukrainian breakaway region with Russia after 60 years as part of Ukraine.
• Russia Could Take Command of Half of Ukrainian Fleet – Lawmaker RIA Novosti 18 Mar 2014 -- Up to 20 warships and auxiliary vessels of the Ukrainian navy could become part of Russia's Black Sea Fleet following the reunification of Crimea with Russia, a senior Russian lawmaker said Tuesday.
• Canada Joins US in Sanctioning Russian Officials Over Crimea RIA Novosti 18 Mar 2014 -- Canada on Tuesday joined the US and EU in announcing sanctions against 10 top Russian and Ukrainian officials following a referendum Sunday in Ukraine's Crimea that saw voters overwhelmingly support reunification with Russia.
• China Splits with Russia Over Ukraine VOA 18 Mar 2014 -- With Russia's most vocal critics imposing economic sanctions over Crimea, some of Moscow's allies are also questioning its actions in Ukraine.
• Roundup: Opinions on Ukraine from American and Foreign Media, March 18 VOA 17 Mar 2014 -- The crisis in Ukraine has captured global attention and is generating a wide spectrum of opinion on its causes and solutions. Newspapers, blogs and other media are publishing a variety of commentaries and editorials on what's to be done and who's to blame.
• Background Briefing by Senior Administration Officials on Ukraine The White House 17 Mar 2014
• Statement by the President on Ukraine The White House 17 Mar 2014
• Letter -- Blocking Property of Additional Persons Contributing to the Situation in Ukraine The White House 17 Mar 2014
• FACT SHEET: Ukraine-Related Sanctions The White House 17 Mar 2014
• EU, U.S. Agree Sanctions Against Russians, Ukrainians RFE/RL 17 Mar 2014 -- The United States and European Union have announced sanctions aimed at punishing a handful of Russians and Ukrainians for their roles in destabilizing Ukraine, where a weekend referendum in Crimea endorsed a plan by breakaway officials there to join the Russian Federation.
• Obama Announces Sanctions Over Crimea Vote VOA 17 Mar 2014 -- Announcing that the U.S. and its allies have mobilized to isolate Russia, President Barack Obama has imposed sanctions on key individuals Washington deems responsible for a Moscow-backed referendum in Ukraine's Crimea aimed at putting the region under Russia's control.
• Putin Recognizes Crimea as Sovereign State VOA 17 Mar 2014 -- President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on Monday recognizing Crimea as a sovereign state after the Ukrainian region's pro-Russian leaders declared it independent and applied to join Russia following a controversial referendum on Sunday.
• Ukraine's Defense Minister Says 'Detente' with Russia Holding VOA 17 Mar 2014 -- Ukraine's defense ministry says an agreement with Russia's military in Crimea to cease provocations appears to be holding. But the ministry says Russia has built up 60,000 troops in the separatist southern territory and along Ukraine's borders, which it vowed to defend.
• Canada slaps sanctions on Crimean - Russian officials VoR 17 Mar 2014 -- Canada slapped sanctions Monday on seven Russian and three Crimean senior officials it said 'bear political responsibility for the crisis' in the former Soviet satellite. Those targeted by sanctions announced by Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper include an advisor and an aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin, as well as Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin.
• Putin signs decree on 'Recognition of Crimea' VoR 17 Mar 2014 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree to recognize Ukraine's breakaway region of Crimea as an independent state, the Kremlin press service said on Monday. Russia also said that it recognizes Sevastopol, a Crimean port that houses the Russian Black Sea fleet base, a city with a 'special autonomous status' within the Republic of Crimea.
• Russia ready to cooperate with partners in resolving crisis in Ukraine – Russian Foreign Ministry VoR 17 Mar 2014 -- Moscow urges contact group to ensure Ukraine's non-bloc status fixed in UN Security Council resolution – Russian Foreign Ministry. 'As has been repeatedly explained by the Russian side, the current situation in Ukraine was not created by us but resulted from a deep crisis that gripped the Ukrainian state, polarized the Ukrainian society and aggravated the antagonistic differences between various parts of the country. Efforts by the international community should aim precisely at helping to overcome those differences,' the statement says.
• Remarks by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton following the Foreign Affairs Council EU External Action Service 17 Mar 2014
• EU adopts restrictive measures against actions threatening Ukraine's territorial integrity Council of the European Union 17 Mar 2014
• Council conclusions on Ukraine Council of the European Union 17 Mar 2014
• NATO Secretary General discusses Crimea referendum, future cooperation with Ukraine's Acting Foreign Minister NATO 17 Mar 2014 -- NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen discussed the latest developments in Ukraine, including the so-called referendum in Ukraine's Autonomous Republic of Crimea, as well as the Alliance's plan to intensify the NATO-Ukraine partnership with Andriy Deshchytsya, Ukraine's Acting Foreign Minister on Monday (17 March 2014).
• Statement by the North Atlantic Council on the so-called referendum in Crimea NATO 17 Mar 2014 -- We consider the so-called referendum held on 16 March in Ukraine's Autonomous Republic of Crimea to be both illegal and illegitimate. The referendum violated the Ukrainian Constitution and international law, and Allies do not recognise its results.
• West denies Crimea referendum, China calls for de-escalation of Crimea crisis People's Daily 17 Mar 2014 -- Official results showed on Monday that 96.6 percent of Crimeans voted to join Russia at Sunday's referendum.
• Crimea declares independence from Ukraine Iran Press TV 17 Mar 2014 -- Crimea has declared independence from Ukraine and formally applied to join Russia, following a referendum in which Crimeans overwhelmingly voted in favor of joining the Russian Federation.
• Crimea referendum, great farce: Ukraine President Iran Press TV 17 Mar 2014 -- Ukraine's interim President Oleksandr Turchynov has described Crimea's referendum as a "great farce" after results showed that an overwhelming majority voted in favor of separation from the country.
• Crimea nationalizes Ukrainian state property Iran Press TV 17 Mar 2014 -- Ukraine's autonomous region of Crimea has nationalized all Ukrainian state property after declaring independence from the Eastern European country.
• Russia Recognizes Crimean Sovereignty; EU, U.S. Announce Sanctions RFE/RL 17 Mar 2014 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed an order recognizing Ukraine's Crimea region as a sovereign and independent country.
• Russia Recognizes Crimea's Independence RIA Novosti 17 Mar 2014 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree to recognize Ukraine's breakaway region of Crimea as an independent state, paving the way for its reunification with Russia, the Kremlin press service said on Monday.
• Western Countries Sanction Russian Officials Over Crimea Vote RIA Novosti 17 Mar 2014 -- The US and EU imposed sanctions Monday on senior Russian officials following a referendum in Ukraine's autonomous republic of Crimea on Sunday in which voters overwhelmingly supported secession and reunification with Russia.
• Draft Resolution on Crimea Submitted to Russian Parliament RIA Novosti 17 Mar 2014 -- Leaders of all four factions in the State Duma, the lower chamber of the Russian parliament, jointly submitted a draft statement on Ukraine's breakaway region of Crimea on Monday evening.
• Moscow Agrees to Ukrainian Aerial Inspection of Russia RIA Novosti 17 Mar 2014 -- Russia will allow Ukrainian military inspectors to carry out an emergency monitoring flight over Russian territory in line with the 2011 Vienna Document on confidence and security-building measures, the Defense Ministry said Monday.
• Ukraine to Mobilize Reservists Following Crimea Referendum RIA Novosti 17 Mar 2014 -- Ukraine's Parliament voted Monday to partially mobilize the country's military reserves amid a tense standoff with Russia following a popular vote in Crimea to secede and join Russia on Sunday, the Ukrainian UNIAN news agency reported.
• Russia Urges Ukraine to Adopt Federal Constitution RIA Novosti 17 Mar 2014 -- Moscow on Monday called on Ukraine to draft a new federal constitution granting broadened powers to the country's disparate regions in order to protect minority populations.
• Crimea Requests to Join Russia Following Referendum RIA Novosti 17 Mar 2014 -- The Crimean parliament declared the region's independence from Ukraine Monday and formally applied to become part of Russia after a referendum Sunday showed overwhelming support for Moscow.
• Ukraine Boosts Security of Natural Gas Pipelines RIA Novosti 17 Mar 2014 -- Ukraine's National Guard and Security Service have stepped up measures to protect natural gas pipelines across the country, the country's Interior Ministry said Monday.
• Ukraine: Ban 'deeply concerned' Crimea vote will worsen complex, tense situation UN News Centre 17 Mar 2014 -- Leading the United Nations push for parties in Ukraine to resolve the country's ongoing political crisis through peaceful dialogue, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today said he is "deeply concerned and disappointed" that this weekend's Crimea secession referendum will only exacerbate an "already complex and tense situation."
• EU, U.S. Fire Opening Salvo In Sanctions Conflict With Russia RFE/RL 17 Mar 2014 -- One day after Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula held a disputed referendum on joining the Russian Federation, both the European Union and the United States have moved to apply targeted sanctions against Russian and Crimean officials.
• Crimea Applies To Join Russia; EU, U.S. Announce Sanctions RFE/RL 17 Mar 2014 -- Authorities in Crimea have declared the republic's independence from Ukraine and formally applied to join the Russian Federation, as Western states have announced sanctions against Russians and others for their roles in destabilizing Ukraine.
• Kyiv Somber, Angry Over Crimea Result VOA 17 Mar 2014 -- With local officials in Crimea saying that 97 percent of voters in the Black Sea Peninsula backed breaking with Ukraine in Sunday's referendum, the reaction in Kyiv is a mixture of anger and resignation.
• China Cautiously Supports Crimea's Secession VOA 17 Mar 2014 -- China repeated calls for restraint in Ukraine on Monday, a day after a controversial referendum in Crimea overwhelmingly supported seceding from Ukraine and joining Russia. Issues of separatism and self-determination remain sensitive topics in Beijing, and observers have been closely watching China's response to the situation.
• Putin Tells Obama Crimean Vote Complies with International Law RIA Novosti 17 Mar 2014 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin told his US counterpart Barack Obama that the referendum in Crimea complied with the international law and the UN Charter, the Kremlin press service said Monday.
• Over 95 Percent of Crimean Voters Back Joining Russia - First Referendum Results RIA Novosti 17 Mar 2014 -- More than 95 percent of Crimean voters backed joining Russia and seceding from Ukraine during Sunday's referendum, the head of the Crimean commission for holding the referendum said after more than a half ballots were counted.
• Obama: US, EU Prepared to Penalize Russia for Crimea Ballot VOA 16 Mar 2014 -- U.S. President Barack Obama told his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, Sunday that Washington and its 'European partners are prepared to impose additional costs' on Moscow for backing a secession referendum in Ukraine's Crimean peninsula.
• Readout of the President's Call with President Putin The White House 16 Mar 2014
• Statement by the Press Secretary on Ukraine The White House 16 Mar 2014
• US senators: We need to stand up to Russia Iran Press TV 16 Mar 2014 -- Top members of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee said Sunday that the US needed to show strength and long-term resolve in pushing back against Russia's actions in Ukraine.
• About 93% of Crimeans in referendum voted to join Russia - exit poll RT 16 Mar 2014 -- About 93 percent of voters in the Crimean referendum have answered 'yes' to the autonomous republic joining Russia and only 7 percent of the vote participants want the region to remain part of Ukraine, according to first exit polls.
• Crimea Poised To Call Result For Russia In Vote Denounced By Kyiv, West RFE/RL 16 Mar 2014 -- Crimea's pro-Russian authorities say voters in that region of Ukraine have overwhelmingly backed union with Russia in a referendum denounced by Ukraine's government and the West as illegal.
• Crimea: Annexation And Recognition - The Legal Battles Ahead RFE/RL 16 Mar 2014 -- As Crimea was preparing for just-completed voting in its regional referendum on whether to secede from Ukraine and join the Russian Federation, lawmakers in Kyiv scrambled to strengthen legal hurdles bolstering their argument that the referendum was illegal.
• Crimeans overwhelmingly vote for joining Russia Iran Press TV 16 Mar 2014 -- Crimean population has overwhelmingly voted to break away from Ukraine and join the Russian Federation with a turnout of more than 80 percent.
• More Ukrainian cities call for secession vote Iran Press TV 16 Mar 2014 -- As voting continues in Ukraine's autonomous region of Crimea, thousands hold rallies in the country's eastern cities of Donetsk and Kharkiv, calling for a referendum to secede from the former Soviet state and join Russia.
• Kerry calls on Russia to send forces back to their bases in Crimea Iran Press TV 16 Mar 2014 -- US Secretary of State John Kerry has called on Russia to withdraw its forces to their bases in the autonomous Ukrainian region as tensions between Washington and Moscow mount over Crimea.
• Russia says referendum in Ukraine's Crimea legal Iran Press TV 16 Mar 2014 -- Russia says the secession referendum in Ukraine's southern Crimea region is legal.
• Crimea Referendum Without Major Problems – Observers RIA Novosti 16 Mar 2014 -- Polling stations across Ukraine's Crimean peninsula were swarmed by residents coming to vote on the region's secession Sunday, with most observers failing to note any violations of electoral procedures by Sunday evening.
• Ukraine's east on fire: Kharkov demands referendum, Donetsk prosecutor's HQ stormed RT 16 Mar 2014 -- Demonstrators in Kharkov, north-east Ukraine, have appealed to Russia to pass to the UN their demands over a referendum on the federalization, while hundreds of protesters in Donetsk stormed a prosecutor's office demanding to free a local "governor".
• Defensive blockade: Activists stop Kiev's military trucks heading to Russian border RT 16 Mar 2014 -- Activists in eastern Ukraine in the Donetsk and Lugansk regions are blocking columns of heavy military equipment heading from Kiev to the border with Russia.
• Crimean Voter Turnout Around 64 Percent VOA 16 Mar 2014 -- Voter turnout in Crimea was estimated at about 64 percent Sunday as polls closed after the vote on a referendum for the eastern Ukrainian region to break away and become a part of Russia.
• Crimea Secession Likely to Spark Economic Disorder VOA 16 Mar 2014 -- When Crimea's two million people wake up Monday after likely having voted in Sunday's snap referendum to break with Ukraine in favor of joining the Russian Federation they will quickly feel the impact in their pockets from the secession and will endure months of economic disorder, say analysts.
• Crimea Holds Controversial Referendum RFE/RL 16 Mar 2014 -- Amid rising tensions, the Ukrainian region of Crimea is holding a controversial referendum on March 16 on whether to join Russia.
• U.S., EU Repeat Warnings That Crimea Vote Illegal; Russia To 'Respect' Referendum RFE/RL 16 Mar 2014 -- The United States and the European Union have reiterated they will not recognize the results of Crimea's referendum on seceding from Ukraine, while Moscow has dug in with a vow to 'respect' the choice made by Crimean voters.
• Kyiv Says Five-Day Truce Reached With Russian Forces In Crimea RFE/RL 16 Mar 2014 -- Ukraine's acting defense minister, Ihor Tenyukh, says Russia has agreed on a truce in Crimea until March 21.
• Establishment of Ukrainian National Guard may be perceived as distrust in law enforcement officers VoR 16 Mar 2014 -- The decision to create the National Guard in Ukraine may be perceived as distrust in the current heads of law enforcement agencies, sources in the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine and the Ministry of Defense said. The head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Arsen Avakov held a 'pretty tough' conversation with Acting President Alexander Turchinov and secretary of the National Security Council and Defense Andrei Parubiya, a high-ranking source in the Interior Ministry said.
• Ukraine moves troops, armour to border with Russia – media VoR 16 Mar 2014 -- Ukraine's '24' television news channel said Ukraine is moving troops and armoured vehicles to the border with Russia.
• Right Sector leader threatens to sabotage Russian pipelines in Ukraine VoR 16 Mar 2014 -- The head of the Ukrainian nationalist movement Dmitry Yarosh has threatened to explode the gas pipeline through which the Russian gas is supplied to Europe, aiming to deprive it of its financing source.
• Ukrainian Navy commander calls for reconciliation between Ukraine and Crimea VoR 16 Mar 2014 -- Commander of the Ukrainian Navy Rear Admiral Sergei Gaiduk believes that it's time for reconciliation between Ukraine and Crimea.
• Ukraine should curb ultra-nationalists terrorizing Russian-speaking population - Lavrov VoR 16 Mar 2014 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State John Kerry have discussed the situation in Ukraine and Crimea, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Facebook. The report also states that Lavrov has pointed out that 'the current Kiev administration should curb the rampant ultra-nationalist and radical groups that are terrorizing dissidents and Russian-speaking people.
• On Eve Of Historic Crimea Vote, A Final Noisy Day Of Protests RFE/RL 15 Mar 2014 -- in Moscow, where a massive crowd of as many as 50,000 demonstrators gathered to voice their solidarity with Ukraine over Vladimir Putin's calculated takeover of the Crimean peninsula.
• Explanation of Vote by Ambassador Samantha Power, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, After a UN Security Council Vote on a Resolution on Ukraine, Saturday, March 15, 2014 U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations 15 Mar 2014
• Remarks by Ambassador Samantha Power, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, at a Security Council Stakeout on Ukraine, March 15, 2014 U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations 15 Mar 2014
• US to conduct more joint exercises in Black Sea amid Ukraine crisis Iran Press TV 15 Mar 2014 -- The United States says it will conduct more war games with allied states in the Black Sea, as tensions between Washington and Moscow grow over the autonomous Ukrainian region.
• Russia vetoes US-endorsed UN resolution on Crimea Iran Press TV 15 Mar 2014 -- Russia has vetoed a UN Security Council's resolution, endorsed by the US, to declare a planned referendum on the status of Ukraine's Black Sea peninsula of Crimea "illegal."
• Ukraine MPs endorse motion to dissolve Crimea assembly Iran Press TV 15 Mar 2014 -- The Ukrainian Parliament, Verkhovna Rada, has voted to dissolve the regional assembly representing the autonomous region of Crimea over its refusal to call off the secession referendum.
• Crimean self-defence units prevent act of sabotage on gas pipeline VoR 15 Mar 2014 -- Crimean self-defence units prevented an act of sabotage on a gas pipeline on Saturday, March 15. Prime Minister Sergei Aksyonov said the saboteurs had identified themselves as Ukrainian Border Guard Service officials.
• High percentage of ballots cast in favor of joining Russia expected - Crimean MP VoR 15 Mar 2014 -- As the referendum in Crimea is nearing and preparations for the vote are well underway, Sergei Tsekov, the Deputy Chairman of the Crimean Supreme Council, First Deputy Leader of the Russian Unity party and Crimea's Russian community leader, talked to the Voice of Russia and shared his opinion about the upcoming referendum.
• Donetsk's residents stop attack on security service's building VoR 15 Mar 2014 -- In the Ukrainian city of Donetsk, a rally's participants stopped an attack on the building of the state security service after the head of the service came out to them and promised to release the arrested supporters of the interests of ethnic Russians, including the city's Governor Pavel Gubarev.
• Crimea getting ready for referendum VoR 15 Mar 2014 -- The destiny of Crimea is due to be determined on Sunday, March 16. A referendum is due to be held there on that day for Crimeans to decide if they want to remain part of Ukraine. However, if they vote that the Autonomous Republic be removed from the jurisdiction of Kiev, the next step for Crimea to make will be joining the Russian Federation.
• Russia to consider Ukrainian civilian requests for protection from radicals - Moscow VoR 15 Mar 2014 -- Russia has received numerous requests from Ukrainian civilians to protect them from radicals, including those from the Right Sector group, and has promised consider them, a Russian Foreign Ministry statement says.
• United Nations Security Council action on Crimea referendum blocked UN News Centre 15 Mar 2014 -- Owing to the negative vote of one of its permanent members, the United Nations Security Council today failed to adopt a draft resolution which urged countries not to recognize the results of this weekend's referendum in Crimea.
• Russia Vetoes Crimea Resolution, China Abstains VOA 15 Mar 2014 -- Russia deployed its veto at the U.N. Security Council Saturday, blocking a resolution condemning the referendum slated for Sunday in the Ukrainian region of Crimea. If passed, it would see the Black Sea peninsual secede from the country and join Russia.
• Ukrainian Foreign Ministry Protests Russian 'Invasion' Of Area Near Crimea RFE/RL 15 Mar 2014 -- Ukraine's Foreign Ministry has released a statement expressing its' 'strong and categorical protest against the landing' of Russian troops in an area some 10 kilometers north of Crimea.
• Russia Vetoes UN Resolution on Ukraine's Crimea RIA Novosti 15 Mar 2014 -- Russia vetoed the UN Security Council resolution that declared Sunday's referendum in the autonomous republic of Crimea invalid.
• Hagel Discusses Ukraine With French Defense Minister AFPS 15 Mar 2014 -- Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel spoke by phone this morning with French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian to discuss the situation in Ukraine, Pentagon Press Secretary Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby reported.
• Tens Of Thousands Rally In Russia, Ukraine Ahead Of Referendum RFE/RL 15 Mar 2014 -- There have been rallies in Russian and Ukrainian cities one day ahead of a scheduled referendum in the Ukrainian region of Crimea - which is occupied by Russian forces - on whether to leave Ukraine and join Russia.
• On Kyiv's Shell-Shocked Maidan, A World Turned Upside Down RFE/RL 15 Mar 2014 -- In front of the scorched husk of the city's Trade Union building, three young men in grubby fatigues sit outside a tent pitched on Independence Square, their faces rattled and vacant. One stares up at the clear blue sky, spinning idly on an office chair.
• 2 Pro-Russian Activists Killed in Eastern Ukraine RIA Novosti 15 Mar 2014 -- Two pro-Russian activists were killed in clashes with pro-Kiev supporters in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, police said Saturday blaming the local radical group for the deaths.
• Ukraine Dissolves Crimean Parliament as Secession Vote Nears RIA Novosti 15 Mar 2014 -- Ukraine's Verkhovna Rada voted on Saturday to dissolve the regional assembly in Crimea, one day ahead of a controversial referendum on independence from Ukraine.
• Putin Tells UN Chief That Crimea Referendum Legal RIA Novosti 15 Mar 2014 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin told UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in a phone conversation on Friday that the upcoming referendum in Crimea was in line with the UN Charter.
• Russia to Wait Until After Ukraine Elections for Loan Talks RIA Novosti 15 Mar 2014 -- Russia will wait at least until after Ukraine's presidential election on May 25 to discuss continued payments under a $15 billion loan agreement signed with the country last year, a senior official said Friday.
• Russian Deputy PM Plays Down Western Sanctions RIA Novosti 15 Mar 2014 -- Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Dmitry Rogozin on Thursday minimized the importance of sanctions, voiced by Western countries amid the ongoing international standoff over Ukraine's autonomous republic of Crimea.
• China Set To Gain From Most Outcomes In Crimea RFE/RL 14 Mar 2014 -- A draft UN Security Council resolution condemning Russian actions in Crimea as violations of Ukraine's territorial integrity is expected to be put to a vote ahead of Crimea's March 16 referendum on whether the region should secede from Ukraine and join Russia.
• New Tensions Emerge in Ukraine Politics VOA 14 Mar 2014 -- Ukraine's ousted president Viktor Yanukovych threat this week to return soon to Kyiv was greeted in the Ukrainian capital with ridicule.
• Kerry: Crimean Referendum a 'Backdoor Annexation' VOA 14 Mar 2014 -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says Russian acceptance of a Crimean referendum to break off from Ukraine and possibly join Russia would be an illegal 'backdoor annexation.'
• Crimean gov't acts independently from Russia, seeks only legal advice - Crimean PM VoR 14 Mar 2014 -- The Crimean authorities coordinate their actions with Russian colleagues only in terms of their compliance with the legislation of the Russian Federation, Prime Minister of Crimea Sergey Aksyonov says.
• Crimea ready to resist provocations on referendum day - Crimean PM VoR 14 Mar 2014 -- The Crimean authorities are certain that no provocations, such as cutting power in the region, will occur, though they have taken all anti-crisis measures necessary, Crimean Prime Minister Sergei Aksyonov said.
• Russian troops in Crimea not involved in 'active measures' - PM Aksyonov VoR 14 Mar 2014 -- Crimea's prime minister on Friday confirmed the presence of Russian troops in the Ukrainian region but denied they are 'taking part in any active measures.'
• Crimea doesn't need independence, must be part of Russia - Crimean PM VoR 14 Mar 2014 -- The Crimean authorities do not consider the possibility of proclaiming independence of the republic according to 'the Abkhazian version'. They believe that the process of joining the Russian Federation will take about a year, Prime Minister of Crimea, Sergei Aksyonov says.
• Russia slams West accusations over Crimea referendum Iran Press TV 14 Mar 2014 -- Russia has slammed Western accusations that the upcoming referendum expected to be held in Ukraine's strategic region of Crimea is illegal.
• U.S., Russia Fail To Bridge Differences Over Crimea RFE/RL 14 Mar 2014 -- Russia says Moscow and Washington have divergent views on Ukraine as the United States warned it would not recognize the outcome of a referendum on Crimea joining Russia.
• Interview: Kosovo-Crimea Parallel Is 'Completely False,' Says Ex-Diplomat RFE/RL 14 Mar 2014
• Russia Says Ukraine Must Pay for Military Inspection Flight RIA Novosti 14 Mar 2014 -- Russia will allow Ukrainian military inspectors to carry out an emergency monitoring flight over Russian territory only if Kiev pays a regular fee under existing agreements, the Defense Ministry said Friday.
• Russia Has No Plans of Invading Southeast Ukraine - Lavrov RIA Novosti 14 Mar 2014 -- Russia has no plans of a military action in southeastern Ukraine, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Friday after talks with his US counterpart in London.
• Moscow Reaffirms Right to Defend Russians in Ukraine RIA Novosti 14 Mar 2014 -- Russia reserves the right to ensure the safety of all Russians in Ukraine, the country's Foreign Ministry said Friday in a statement following clashes Thursday between demonstrators in Ukraine's Donetsk region.
• Four Criminal Cases Launched Against Ukraine's Fugitive Leader RIA Novosti 14 Mar 2014 -- Ukrainian prosecutors have opened more criminal against fugitive President Viktor Yanukovych, including on charges of unconstitutional seizure of power, extremism and money laundering.
• Background Briefing on Secretary Kerry's Trip to London US Dept. of State 14 Mar 2014
• Press Availability in London US Dept. of State 14 Mar 2014
• Ukraine: UN deploys human rights monitors amid 'troubling' signs in east, Crimea UN News Centre 14 Mar 2014 -- United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, Ivan Šimonovic, announced today the immediate deployment of a UN monitoring team throughout crisis-torn Ukraine to help establish the facts surrounding alleged human rights violations, including in Crimea, and serve to de-escalate tensions in the country.
• In Sanctions Showdown With West, Russia Playing A Weak Hand RFE/RL 14 Mar 2014 -- In a crisis that is turning into the worst East-West confrontation since the Cold War, Europe and the United States are gearing up to confront Moscow over Russia's incursion into Ukraine. But this time, the key weapons will be banks, not tanks.
• Germany Warns Russia of 'Massive Damage' Over Crimea VOA 14 Mar 2014 -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel has warned Moscow that Europe could inflict 'massive economic and political damage' to Russia if the situation in the Ukrainian region of Crimea escalates.
• Kerry Says Russia Will Not Budge on Ukraine Talks VOA 14 Mar 2014 -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry called talks Friday with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov 'constructive and frank' but said that Russia is not prepared to make any decisions on Ukraine until after a referendum in Crimea set for Sunday.
• Russia to 'Intensify' Military Exercises Near Ukraine Border VOA 13 Mar 2014 -- The Russian military is conducting exercises in several regions of the country near the border with Ukraine, as a state-run polling agency reports that President Vladimir Putin's approval rating has hit a new high.
• Together 'we can pull Ukraine back from the brink', UN political chief tells Security Council UN News Centre 13 Mar 2014 -- The United Nations continued efforts on multiple fronts to de-escalate tensions in Ukraine, with a senior human rights official holding meetings today in the capital, Kiev, while in New York, the Security Council met in its sixth urgent session on the crisis, hearing the UN political chief stress that the path to a peaceful resolution is still open – "let us seize it."
• Remarks by Ambassador Samantha Power, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, At a Security Council Meeting on Ukraine, March 13, 2014 U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations 13 Mar 2014
• Ukrainian PM Seeks International Support at UN VOA 13 Mar 2014 -- Ukraine's interim Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk appealed to the U.N. Security Council Thursday for its support to help stop Russia from annexing its Crimea region in a referendum planned for Sunday.
• US Congressional Action on Ukraine Aid Delayed by IMF Disputes VOA 13 Mar 2014 -- A dispute over International Monetary Fund borrowing quotas is delaying efforts by the U.S. Congress to pass an emergency aid package for the interim Ukrainian government, which is facing a potential default and Russian military intervention in the Crimean peninsula. Secretary of State John Kerry is calling on lawmakers to include IMF reform as a critical part of a loan package to Ukraine, but some House Republicans are skeptical.
• Kerry: US, Europe Will Respond if Crimea Referendum Proceeds VOA 13 Mar 2014 -- The United States and the European Union will respond on Monday with a 'serious series of steps' against Russia if a referendum on Ukraine's Crimea region goes ahead on Sunday, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Thursday.
• Many Crimea Students Oppose Splitting From Ukraine VOA 13 Mar 2014 -- Ahead of Sunday's referendum in Crimea over whether to join the Russian Federation, a split between young, educated Crimeans and those from older generations is becoming more obvious.
• Russia cannot ignore ongoing developments in Ukraine: Putin Iran Press TV 13 Mar 2014 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin says his country should not be blamed for the crisis in Ukraine, adding that Russia cannot ignore the ongoing developments in its western neighbor.
• Kerry: US, EU will respond to Crimea referendum Iran Press TV 13 Mar 2014 -- The US Secretary of State John Kerry once again threatens Russia over the crisis in Ukraine, saying the US and EU would take a 'serious series of steps' if a referendum on Ukraine's Crimea region passes on Sunday.
• Ukraine parliament passes law to form army Iran Press TV 13 Mar 2014 -- The pro-Western parliament in Ukraine has adopted a legislation under which the country would create a 60,000-strong National Guard in an attempt to boost the country's defenses.
• Merkel uses strong rhetoric to warn Russia over Ukraine Iran Press TV 13 Mar 2014 -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel has once again warned Russia of massive consequences if it continues with its policy of ignoring calls for talks over the crisis in Ukraine.
• Explainer: What Do Russian Troop Movements Near Ukraine's Border Signify? RFE/RL 13 Mar 2014 -- Officials in Kyiv have warned that Russian military forces are massing on Ukraine's borders 'in an offensive manner' and suggested they could be preparing for an invasion in the country's east.
• Reviled In Kyiv, Heroes In The East, Berkut Veterans Lick Their Wounds RFE/RL 13 Mar 2014 -- Yury Sivonenko bristles with pride at the elite police force he was handpicked to train 25 years ago. Known as the Berkut, or "Golden Eagles," they were a special police unit geared for crowd control and special operations against organized crime.
• Ukraine Forms National Guard to Boost Defenses RIA Novosti 13 Mar 2014 -- The Ukrainian parliament on Thursday voted to create a new military force to supplement the regular army and bolster the country's defenses.
• Ukraine Defense Chief's Report Paints Bleak Picture of Armed Forces RIA Novosti 13 Mar 2014 -- Ukraine's acting defense minister described the combat readiness of the country's armed forces as "unsatisfactory" in his report to the acting president, a source familiar with the report told RIA Novosti on Wednesday.
• Ukraine to Incorporate Ex-Protesters into New Military Force RIA Novosti 13 Mar 2014 -- A new military structure, National Guard, to be set up in Ukraine soon, will incorporate protesters, who took part in violent rallies in Kiev earlier this year, a source in the country's Cabinet of ministers said on Wednesday.
• New Ukraine can't be built by radicals longing for power - expert VoR 13 Mar 2014 -- Revolutions are designed by romantics, implemented by fanatics, while scums use their results. That statement by Otto von Bismarck has been confirmed by history numerous times. Suffice it to recall that while the most progressive part of society was the driving force behind the Arab spring, Islamists got to power as a result of that uprising.
• Snipers shot people from buildings, controlled by Maidan protestors - Ukraine's ex-security chief VoR 13 Mar 2014 -- Snipers, who were killing people during the Euromaidan, were situated in the building of philharmonic society. At a point in time, the building was controlled by Andrey Parubiy, commandant of the Euromaidan, Alexander Yakimenko, former Head of the Security Service of Ukraine, told Rossiya 1 Russian TV channel. He thinks that Parubiy contacted with the US intelligence representatives.
• Kerry, Merkel Warn Russia Of Tough Response Over Crimea RFE/RL 13 Mar 2014 -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have both warned Russia it would face a tough response over a breakaway vote in Ukraine's Crimea region.
• Russia Threatens Symmetrical Sanctions Against West RIA Novosti 13 Mar 2014 -- Russia does not rule out reciprocal action if sanctions are imposed by the US and European countries, a senior Russian economic official said Thursday.
• Russian Media Again Under Attack, This Time With Ukraine As Pretext RFE/RL 13 Mar 2014 -- Many Russia-watchers have grown accustomed to beginning their day with a quick run through 'Dorogaya redaktsiya,' the often-playful Twitter feed of Lenta.ru, one of Russia's most popular sources of independent online news.
• Statement of G-7 Leaders on Ukraine The White House 12 Mar 2014
• Ukraine: UN human rights envoy denied access to Crimea UN News Centre 12 Mar 2014 -- The United Nations said today that in addition to logistical challenges that hindered Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights IvanŠimonović from traveling to the autonomous Ukrainian region of Crimea this week, he was informed by authorities that he could not be received there.
• Obama: 'We Will Stand With Ukraine' VOA 12 Mar 2014 -- President Barack Obama said Wednesday that the U.S. and its allies would be forced to apply a cost to Russia if it presses ahead with a referendum on Sunday that would effectively annex Crimea.
• US President Obama meets Ukrainian PM Arseniy Yatsenyuk VoR 12 Mar 2014 -- US President Barack Obama has held a high-profile White House meeting with Ukraine's Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk, in a calculated display of the West's backing – moral, financial and diplomatic – for the embattled new government in Kiev.
• Remarks by President Obama and Ukraine Prime Minister Yatsenyuk after Bilateral Meeting The White House 12 Mar 2014
• Crimea to nationalize Ukraine state companies Iran Press TV 12 Mar 2014 -- The Crimean parliament is to nationalize Ukrainian state companies on its territory, including offshore rigs, the region's first deputy prime minister says.
• Russia Tries To Win Over Crimean Tatars RFE/RL 12 Mar 2014 -- As pro-Moscow authorities consolidate their hold over Ukraine's Crimean peninsula, the region's Tatars have found themselves on the receiving end of a Kremlin-backed charm offensive to win their support. But it appears to be falling flat.
• Washington React: Kerry to Meet Lavrov on Ukraine VOA 12 Mar 2014 -- The United States is sending Secretary of State John Kerry to London for a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, part of the effort to end the crisis in Ukraine.
• G-7 Leaders Condemn Russia-backed Crimea Vote VOA 12 Mar 2014 -- Joined by other leaders, the G-7 is calling on Russia to cease all efforts to change the status of Ukraine's peninsula in violation of Ukrainian and international law.
• OSCE Says Crimea Referendum Illegal RFE/RL 11 Mar 2014 -- The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) says Crimea's planned March 16 referendum on joining Russia is illegal in its current form.
• Washington React: Obama Aims to Work With Putin to Calm Ukraine VOA 11 Mar 2014 -- The United States says it respects Russia's interests in Ukraine, but that it expects Moscow to pull its troops back to their bases and stop violating Ukraine's sovereignty.
• US House Votes on Ukraine Resolution VOA 11 Mar 2014 -- As the crisis in Ukraine continues, the U.S. House of Representatives has overwhelmingly passed a resolution condemning the violation of Ukrainian sovereignty by Russian military forces, and calling for the deployment of international monitors in Crimea and other areas of Ukraine. The vote – a rare show of unity between congressional Republicans and Democrats as they sent their message to Moscow - was 403 in favor and six against.
• Obama to Host Ukraine's Interim PM VOA 11 Mar 2014 -- U.S. President Barack Obama hosts Ukraine's interim prime minister, Arseniy Yatsenyuk, at the White House Wednesday.
• US Presses Russia to Create Environment for Ukraine Diplomacy VOA 11 Mar 2014 -- The United States said Tuesday that Russia's responses to U.S. proposals to resolve the Ukraine crisis fail to create the proper environment for a diplomatic resolution.
• Funding Ukraine's illegitimate regime outside US legal system - Moscow VoR 11 Mar 2014 -- The United States should think about the consequences of 'financially pumping' radical elements in Ukraine, the Russian Foreign Ministry said. 'Apparently, the US administration will continue turning a blind eye to the dominance of ultra-national forces in Kiev, which are hunting those thinking differently throughout the country, enhance pressure on the Russian-speaking population and our fellow citizens, and threaten violence to Crimean residents for their aspiration of self-determination.
• No Russian nationals in Crimean self-defence detachments - Crimean gov't VoR 11 Mar 2014 -- Answeting journalists' questions the head of the Crimean government, Sergei Aksyonov, underlined that there no Russian servicemen in the Crimean self-defence detachments, adding that there are only Crimean nationals there.
• Crimea won't return to Ukraine - speaker of the Crimean legislature VoR 11 Mar 2014 -- Crimea will not return to Ukraine, speaker of the Crimean legislature Vladimir Konstantinov told reporters on Tuesday. 'The Crimea's return to Ukraine is ruled out,' he said.
• OSCE observers weren't officially invited to Crimean referendum - Crimean authorities VoR 11 Mar 2014 -- The administration of Crimea has not sent an official invitation to the OSCE to monitor the referendum in Crimea, Rustam Temirgaliyev, deputy prime minister of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, told Interfax.
• Pro-Russia forces suspend flights in or out of Crimea Iran Press TV 11 Mar 2014 -- Pro-Russian forces in Crimea have closed the main airport in the regional capital, Simferopol, preventing all flights in and out, except those connecting to Moscow.
• EU Offers 500 Million Euros Of Trade Benefits To Kyiv RFE/RL 11 Mar 2014 -- The European Commission has adopted a proposal to extend unilateral trade benefits to Ukraine worth nearly 500 million euros ($693 million) a year.
• Defiant Yanukovych Says He'll Return To Kyiv RFE/RL 11 Mar 2014 -- A defiant Viktor Yanukovych, ousted as Ukrainian president, has reiterated from exile that he is still the country's leader and remains commander of the country's armed forces.
• Ousted Ukrainian President Warns of Civil War RIA Novosti 11 Mar 2014 -- Ousted Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych warned on Tuesday that 'dark forces' are working to foment civil war in the troubled former Soviet nation.
• Crimea Declares Independence Ahead of Popular Vote on Secession RIA Novosti 11 Mar 2014 -- The parliament of Crimea, a majority ethnic Russian region within Ukraine, declared independence Tuesday ahead of a popular vote on secession and annexation by Russia.
• Crimea Bans Nationalist, Neo-Nazi Groups RIA Novosti 11 Mar 2014 -- The Crimean parliament on Tuesday banned the activities of nationalist political organizations instrumental in the recent Ukrainian revolution, citing security threats.
• In Ukraine, UN official discusses human rights measures to de-escalate current crisis UN News Centre 11 Mar 2014 -- Senior United Nations official Ivan Šimonovic is meeting with local authorities in Kharkiv, Ukraine, today to discuss human rights-related measures that can be taken to help de-escalate tensions in the country.
• France warns of anti-Russia sanctions over Ukraine issue Iran Press TV 11 Mar 2014 -- France says sanctions against Russia could come as early as this week if Moscow does not respond to Western proposals on finding a solution to the crisis in Ukraine.
• Russian Paratroopers Hold Massive Drills as Crimea Vote Nears RIA Novosti 11 Mar 2014 -- An airborne division based in central Russia began large-scale exercises Tuesday against the backdrop of an ongoing political and security crisis in Ukraine.
• U.S. Wants Evidence Russia Ready To Ease Ukraine Crisis RFE/RL 10 Mar 2014 -- The U.S. State Department says Washington wants to see proof that Russia is prepared to engage seriously on a diplomatic solution to the crisis in Ukraine.
• U.S. Ambassador To Ukraine Says Crimea Should Stay In Ukraine US Dept. of State 10 Mar 2014
• Ban urges parties to work for durable solution in Ukraine, as Security Council holds talks UN News Centre 10 Mar 2014 -- With tensions and mistrust growing in Ukraine, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today urged the international community to help the key actors calm the situation and work toward a durable and fair political solution, ahead of closed-door Security Council consultations on the crisis.
• US Pushes to De-Escalate Ukraine Crisis VOA 10 Mar 2014 -- Russia says it has prepared proposals to defuse the Ukraine crisis, but Washington says Moscow needs to show evidence that it wants peace.
• Neighboring Nations Wary as Crimea Occupied by Pro-Russian Forces VOA 10 Mar 2014 -- As the buildup of pro-Russian forces in the Crimea region of Ukraine continues, officials in Ukrainian capital Kyiv say that as many as 18,000 occupiers are in the region. The increasingly tense standoff in some ways is reminiscent of the 2008 conflict with Georgia, and other neighbors undoubtedly are taking notice.
• Russia to Unveil Proposed Solution to Ukraine Crisis VOA 10 Mar 2014 -- Russia plans to unveil its own solution to the Ukraine crisis, a plan that is likely to run counter to US proposals.
• Washington React: FBI Helps Ukraine Recover Billions Stolen by Former Regime VOA 10 Mar 2014 -- FBI and U.S. Treasury agents have arrived in Kyiv to aid Ukraine's interim leaders to uncover the financial crimes of the government of ousted President Viktor Yanukovych in an effort to repatriate billions of dollars.
• Russia's Security Council proposes Ukraine settlement plan - Lavrov VoR 10 Mar 2014 -- Russia's Security Council has prepared its own Ukrainian settlement proposals for the American partners in to return the situation in that country to the framework of international law and to take the interests of all Ukrainian citizens into account, said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
• OSCE military observers visits to Crimea must be sanctioned by Crimean authorities, not Russia - FM VoR 10 Mar 2014 -- The Russian Foreign Ministry has expressed surprise at US envoy to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Daniel Baer's call on Russia to facilitate the OSCE military observers' unrestricted movement in the Crimea.
• US and Chinese presidents discuss Ukraine crisis VoR 10 Mar 2014 -- US President Barack Obama spoke late Sunday with Chinese President Xi Jinping about ways to peacefully resolve a tense crisis over control of Ukraine's Crimea region, the White House said.
• 15,000 rally supporting Ukraine's Russian-speaking minority in Chelyabinsk VoR 10 Mar 2014 -- The Russian city of Chelyabinsk in the southern Urals, which made headlines last year when a meteor blazed above it to burst into pieces and plunge into a nearby lake, has staged a peaceful demonstration in support of Ukraine's Russian-speaking minority and the Crimean republic.
• Military hospital seized in Crimea's Simferopol: Ukraine Iran Press TV 10 Mar 2014 -- Ukraine says gunmen have seized a military hospital in Simferopol, the administrative center of Ukraine's autonomous Crimea region.
• Lavrov Says Kerry Declines Invitation To Russia For Further Talks RFE/RL 10 Mar 2014 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has declined an invitation to visit Russia for further talks on the Ukraine crisis.
• Russian Foreign Ministry Concerned About 'Lawlessness' In East RFE/RL 10 Mar 2014 -- Russia's Foreign Ministry has expressed concern at what it terms the 'lawlessness' affecting Russians and Russian-speakers in eastern Ukraine.
• Preparations for Joining Russia Already Underway – Aksyonov RIA Novosti 10 Mar 2014 -- Crimean Prime Minister Sergei Aksyonov said Monday that preparations for the the southern Ukrainian region to become part of Russia are already underway.
• Chinese, U.S. presidents exchange views on bilateral ties, Ukraine over phone People's Daily 10 Mar 2014 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and his U.S. counterpart Barack Obama exchanged views in a telephone conversation Monday on bilateral ties and the situation in Ukraine.
• Xi, Merkel hold phone talks on ties, Ukraine crisis People's Daily 10 Mar 2014 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Sunday discussed relations between their two countries and the Ukraine crisis in a phone conversation.
• US Warns Russia Over Crimea Referendum VOA 09 Mar 2014 -- The White House on Sunday warned Russia that it will come under increased international pressure if it presses ahead with a referendum to annex Crimea.
• Ukraine Crisis Sharpens Debate on Obama Foreign Policy VOA 09 Mar 2014 -- Events in Ukraine have reignited debate in Washington about President Barack Obama's foreign policy and whether his administration suffers from a fundamental naïveté about the goals and motives of America's adversaries.
• West's sanctions would cut both ways - Pushkov VoR 09 Mar 2014 -- The West's sanctions against Russia over Ukraine would backfire, said chairman of the State Duma's International Affairs Committee Alexei Pushkov.
• Crimea hopes to remain parliamentary republic if it joins Russia - speaker Konstantinov VoR 09 Mar 2014 -- Crimea hopes to receive broader authority if it joins Russia, Speaker of the Supreme Council of Crimea Vladimir Konstantinov said on Sunday.
• Putin discusses upcoming Crimean referendum with Merkel and Cameron VoR 09 Mar 2014 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has held telephone conversations with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and British Prime Minister David Cameron on the situation in Ukraine and the upcoming referendum in Crimea, the Kremlin's press service reports.
• Ukraine blocks accounts of Crimean section of state treasury - Crimean Deputy PM VoR 09 Mar 2014 -- Rustam Temirgaliyev, deputy prime minister of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, said the Kiev administration blocked the electronic systems of the Crimean section of the State Treasury and blocked Crimea's accounts.
• West must block Ukrainian nationalist Yarosh way to government posts - Russian Foreign Ministry VoR 09 Mar 2014 -- The Ukrainian authorities and Western politicians must do their utmost to block the leader of the ultra-radical movement 'The Right Sector' Dmitry Yarosh and his supporters the way to government posts, the Russian Foreign Ministry's Human Rights Commissioner Konstantin Dolgov says.
• Ukraine should become bridge between West and East to find way out of crisis - Henry Kissinger VoR 09 Mar 2014 -- Henry Kissinger, the Nobel Prize winner, the former US secretary of state and the former national security adviser to the US President (1969-1975), believes that Ukraine should stop making choices between the West and the East and turn into a 'bridge' between them. 'Internationally, they should pursue a posture comparable to that of Finland,' Kissinger stressed in an article published by 'The Washington Post'.
• 7,000 people march for autonomy of Ukraine's eastern Kharkov region VoR 09 Mar 2014 -- About 7,000 people took part in Saturday's meeting and march in Ukraine's eastern city of Kharkov.The people carried Russian and Ukrainian flags demanding resignation of the authorities in Kiev and a referendum on a number of issues.
• Pro-Russia protesters take over Ukraine's Lugansk city Iran Press TV 09 Mar 2014 -- Pro-Russia protesters have reportedly taken over Ukraine's eastern city of Lugansk as the standoff continues between Moscow and the West over the crisis-hit Eastern European country.
• Pro-Russian force seize airport in Crimea: Ukraine Iran Press TV 09 Mar 2014 -- Ukrainian Defense Ministry says that a pro-Russian force has seized a military airport in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea.
• Russia defends Crimea's decision to hold referendum Iran Press TV 09 Mar 2014 -- Russia has defended a decision by Ukraine's Crimean authorities to hold a referendum as the standoff between Moscow and the West over the crisis-hit Eastern European country continues.
• Ukraine Clashes As Rival Rallies Boost Tensions RFE/RL 09 Mar 2014 -- Pro-Russian activists attacked pro-Ukrainian activists with clubs and whips in the Crimean city of Sevastopol as thousands took to the streets across Ukraine in rival demonstrations on March 9.
• Ukraine PM To Travel To U.S. To Discuss Crimea Crisis RFE/RL 09 Mar 2014 -- Ukraine's Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk has said he will go to Washington this week to discuss the crisis with Russia over Ukraine's region of Crimea.
• Turkey Torn Over 'Brothers' In Crimea, Good Ties With Russia RFE/RL 09 Mar 2014 -- Serkan Sava's ancestors left Crimea in a mass exodus some 150 years ago, after the Ottoman Empire staved off Russian pressure in the Crimean War but could not reverse the slow tumble that would lead to its dissolution after World War I.
• Crimea Says No Talks With Incumbent Kiev Government RIA Novosti 09 Mar 2014 -- The authorities in Ukraine's breakaway region of Crimea on Sunday ruled out negotiations with the central government, which they say is illegitimate.
• Kiev Plans No Troop Deployment in Crimea - Minister RIA Novosti 09 Mar 2014 -- The movement of troops in western Ukraine, reported by the country's media, was held as part of military exercises and is not related to events in the breakaway region of Crimea, the acting defense minister said on Sunday.
• Putin Tells Merkel, Cameron That Crimea Referendum Legal RIA Novosti 09 Mar 2014 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said in phone conversations with the German and British leaders on Sunday that Crimea's decision to secede from Ukraine and join Russia was within the framework of the international law.
• Readout of the President's Calls with President Berzins of Latvia, Prime Minister Cameron of the United Kingdom, President Grybauskaite of Lithuania, President Hollande of France, President Ilves of Estonia, and Prime Minister Renzi of Italy The White House 08 Mar 2014
• Russian Military Vehicles Enter Ukrainian Base Near Simferopol VOA 08 Mar 2014 -- A convoy of military vehicles, apparently Russian, has entered a base near Crimea's capital Simferopol.
• New Generation in Ukraine Forges a New National Identity VOA 08 Mar 2014 -- As the confrontation between the West and Russia over Russia's actions in Crimea unfolds Ukraine's acting foreign minister has reiterated that while his country wants a peaceful resolution to the standoff with Russia, Ukrainians are unwilling to be held hostage to the "old Soviet-style" of threat and intimidation.
• Ukraine gov't can't block referendum on Crimean status - Crimean MP VoR 08 Mar 2014 -- Ukraine's government will not be able to block a planned referendum in Crimea on March 16 at which the local population would be asked whether it wanted the region to remain part of Ukraine or would prefer it to be part of Russia, a senior member of Crimea's legislature said.
• West begins to understand sanity of Russia's actions in Ukraine VoR 08 Mar 2014 -- The Russian Federation Council will support the decision on the referendum adopted by the Parliament of Crimea. This came as a statement by head of the Federation Council, Valentina Matviyenko, to Crimean parliamentarians, who visited Moscow on Friday. A day earlier, the Crimean MPs voted for the beginning of the procedure of Crimea's annexation to Russia, and appointed a referendum on the future status of the peninsula for March 16.
• Crimea forms its own armed forces VoR 08 Mar 2014 -- On Saturday, military units in the city of Simferopol in the Crimea Peninsula in Ukraine held a ceremony of an oath of loyalty to Crimea's people.
• Obama, Merkel favour setting up contact group for direct Russia-Ukraine dialogue VoR 08 Mar 2014 -- The US President Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have come out for setting up a contact group that could help launch direct talks between Russia and Ukraine. This came in a statement by the White House on Friday following another telephone conversation between the two leaders on the situation in Ukraine.
• Ukraine says 'will not give up Crimea' Iran Press TV 08 Mar 2014 -- Ukraine's acting Foreign Minister Andrii Deshchytsia has said Kiev "will not give up Crimea," amid the prospect of the region's separation from the country.
• Russia says open to dialog on Ukraine Iran Press TV 08 Mar 2014 -- Russia says it is open to having an "honest, equal" dialogue with foreign states on the crisis in Ukraine.
• Crimea PM pledges 'union with Russia' vote as planned Iran Press TV 08 Mar 2014 -- The prime minister of Ukraine's autonomous Crimea region says a referendum on whether to join the Russian Federation will go ahead as planned.
• US, France warn of possible new measures against Russia Iran Press TV 08 Mar 2014 -- The United States and France have warned of possible new measures against Russia if Moscow fails to make progress on defusing the crisis in Ukraine.
• First Ukraine-Russia Talks As EU Floats 'Immediate' Accord RFE/RL 08 Mar 2014 -- Russia and Ukraine have had the first diplomatic contacts since the start of the Crimean crisis, while the European Union has said it will sign a political agreement with Kyiv 'immediately.'
• Ukraine's Acting Foreign Minister Urges Russia To Let Monitors Into Crimea RFE/RL 08 Mar 2014 -- Acting Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Deshchytsya says Ukraine will never give up Crimea and that Kyiv is doing everything it can to resolve the crisis there peacefully.
• As Kyiv Moves To Control Donetsk, Pro-Moscow Feelings Linger RFE/RL 08 Mar 2014 -- Just a month ago, few people were talking about more autonomy for Donetsk - less still about it joining Russia. But with Russian troops in Crimea and the Black Sea peninsula soon to vote on joining Russia, some in Donetsk are agitating for a referendum to widen the eastern industrial region's autonomy - and perhaps even to go further.
• Russia Accuses OSCE of Double Standards in Ukrainian Stance RIA Novosti 08 Mar 2014 -- The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe is showing double standards in its approach to the current political crisis in Ukraine, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Friday.
• Russian FM: Ukraine Controlled by Ultranationalists RIA Novosti 08 Mar 2014 -- The head of Russian diplomacy on Saturday slammed Ukrainian post-revolutionary authorities and alleged attempts to demonize Russia's involvement in the Ukrainian crisis.
• US warplanes in Europe in response to crisis in Ukraine Iran Press TV 08 Mar 2014 -- The United States has beefed up its military presence in Europe amid tensions in the region over the current crisis in Ukraine.
• Armed Men Enter Ukrainian Base in Sevastopol VOA 07 Mar 2014 -- Armed men thought to be Russians drove a truck into a Ukrainian missile-defense post in the Crimea region on Friday and took it over without a shot being fired, according to a Reuters reporter on-the-scene.
• Department of Defense Press briefing by Rear Adm. Kirby in the Pentagon Briefing Room DoD 07 Mar 2014 -- Presenter: Press Secretary Rear Admiral John Kirby
• Proposed Crimea referendum 'worrying and serious' development – UN UN News Centre 07 Mar 2014 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today emphasized the need for peace and stability in Ukraine's Crimea region, where the announcement of a referendum on joining Russia constitutes a "worrying and serious" development.
• Russia Slams EU Sanctions Over Ukraine, Threatens to Retaliate RIA Novosti 07 Mar 2014 -- Russia accused the European Union on Friday of taking an "extremely unconstructive stance" on the Ukrainian political crisis by freezing negotiations with Russia on a visa-free regime and a new cooperation agreement.
• OSCE mission barred again from entering Crimea Iran Press TV 07 Mar 2014 -- Military observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) have been barred from entering Ukraine's semi-autonomous region Crimea for a second day.
• Kyiv, Crimea at Odds Over Planned Referendum VOA 07 Mar 2014 -- Ukraine's interim president has signed a decree canceling a planned referendum on Crimea joining Russia, but Crimean officials vow the vote will go ahead.
• Washington React: White House Downplays Role of Natural Gas in Ukraine Crisis VOA 07 Mar 2014 -- The White House on Friday appeared to downplay the possibility of changing U.S. policy on exporting natural gas to address the situation in Ukraine.
• Ukrainians Fight Back in Information War VOA 07 Mar 2014 -- Kremlin-controlled media have launched an information war to justify Russia's seizing of Crimea. In response, Ukrainians are organizing to counter Moscow's version of events.
• Ukraine's new government may start repressions against their opponents VoR 07 Mar 2014 -- Ukraine's new authorities may start repressions against residents of the Crimean Peninsula and Ukraine's eastern regions, the majority of whom do not support the new government, Press Secretary of Russia's President Dmitry Peskov says.
• Interpol weighs arrest warrant request from Ukraine gov't for Yanukovych VoR 07 Mar 2014 -- Interpol said Friday it was considering a request from Ukraine's new government to issue an arrest warrant for ousted president Viktor Yanukovych. The international police organisation confirmed it had received a request from authorities in Kiev on Wednesday to issue a 'Red Notice', or international wanted persons alert, for Yanukovych on charges including abuse of power and murder.
• Upcoming Ukraine Election Tainted by Crisis – Russian Official RIA Novosti 07 Mar 2014 -- The upcoming May 25 presidential election in Ukraine will not be free and fair if violence and intimidation in the country continue, the speaker of Russia's upper house of parliament said Friday.
• Crimea Ignores President's Order to Stop Secession Vote RIA Novosti 07 Mar 2014 -- Crimea, a majority ethnic Russian region within Ukraine, decided on Friday to ignore a presidential order on a technicality and proceed with an upcoming vote to secede and join Russia.
• Russia's Gazprom Warns Ukraine of New Gas War RIA Novosti 07 Mar 2014 -- The head of Russia's state-run energy company Gazprom said Friday that Ukraine has stopped paying for Russian gas supplies, which could trigger a repetition of 2009's so-called "gas war" between the two countries.
• Russian Parliament Welcomes Crimea to Leave Ukraine for Russia RIA Novosti 07 Mar 2014 -- Russia's upper house of parliament said Friday it would welcome the addition of Crimea to the country's territory if residents there choose to secede from Ukraine in a referendum scheduled next week.
• Ukraine Crisis Deepens as Sevastopol Votes to Join Russia RIA Novosti 07 Mar 2014 -- Ukraine's Crimean city of Sevastopol has voted to become part of Russia, mirroring an earlier vote by the region's parliament and consolidating support for the majority ethnic Russian region to formally secede from Ukraine in an upcoming popular vote.
• Crimean Tatar Minority to Boycott Secession Vote RIA Novosti 07 Mar 2014 -- The semi-formal government of the Crimean Tatars said Thursday that the ethnic minority will boycott the secession referendum set by the Ukrainian region's pro-Russian authorities.
• Obama Phones Putin About Ukraine; Putin Says Differences Remain VOA 06 Mar 2014 -- The White House says President Obama has told his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, that Moscow's actions in Ukraine are a violation of that country's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
• Ukraine 'a country on edge,' says UN deputy chief, urging dialogue among all parties UN News Centre 06 Mar 2014 -- Describing strife-torn Ukraine as "a country on edge", Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson today called for an end to the "provocative rhetoric" that was stoking tensions there, and stressed the readiness of the United Nations to facilitate meaningful dialogue among all the key parties to help ease the crisis.
• Remarks by Ambassador Samantha Power, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, at a UN Security Council Stakeout on Ukraine, March 6, 2014 U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations 06 Mar 2014
• Ukraine's Naftogaz settles debt to Gazprom for January supplies VoR 06 Mar 2014 -- Ukraine's national gas and oil company Naftogaz has settled its debt to Gazprom for the natural gas supplied by the Russian company in January. The Ukrainian company reported this on Thursday.
• Background Briefing by Senior Administration Officials on Executive Order on Ukraine -- Via Conference Call The White House 06 Mar 2014
• Readout of President Obama's call with President Putin of Russia The White House 06 Mar 2014
• DOD Supports U.S., Allied Response to Russia-Ukraine Crisis AFPS 06 Mar 2014 -- The Defense Department is working to support the coordinated U.S. response to Russia's recent aggression toward Ukraine, and to help Ukraine and U.S. allies and partners in the region, DOD and administration officials said here today.
• Russia accuses NATO of double standards on Ukraine Iran Press TV 06 Mar 2014 -- Russia's envoy to NATO has criticized the Western military alliance after it announced a full review of cooperation with Moscow over the Ukraine crisis.
• Crimean MPs vote to join Russia escalates tension Iran Press TV 06 Mar 2014 -- Tension has escalated between Ukraine and its semi-autonomous region of Crimea after Crimean lawmakers voted unanimously to become part of Russia.
• President Obama orders property, visa bans over Ukraine crisis Iran Press TV 06 Mar 2014 -- The US president signs an executive order imposing a ban on visas and property of a number of individuals who the United States believes are violating the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
• Crimea's Parliament Decides to Secede to Russia RIA Novosti 06 Mar 2014 -- The parliament of Crimea, a majority ethnic Russian region within Ukraine, decided Thursday to secede from the country and become part of Russia, according to a statement on its website.
• Ukraine PM Says Crimea Breakaway Referendum is 'Illegitimate' RIA Novosti 06 Mar 2014 -- Ukraine's interim prime minister on Thursday condemned moves in the province of Crimea to hold a referendum on breaking away and joining Russia.
• Russia Slams US Over Inadequate Perception of Ukraine Events RIA Novosti 06 Mar 2014 -- Russia's Foreign Ministry harshly criticized Washington on Thursday over a lack of an "adequate perception" of events in Ukraine.
• EU Freezes Talks With Russia on Cooperation Agreement, Visas RIA Novosti 06 Mar 2014 -- EU leaders decided on Thursday to freeze negotiations with Russia on a visa-free regime and a new cooperation agreement, the European Council president said Thursday.
• US Authorizes Sanctions Against Officials 'Destabilizing' Ukraine RIA Novosti 06 Mar 2014 -- The White House said Thursday that it was imposing visa bans and authorizing other sanctions against officials "who are most directly involved in destabilizing Ukraine."
• Crimean parliament's decision on inclusion of Crimea to Russia takes effect immediately - official VoR 06 Mar 2014 -- The decision made by the Supreme Council of Crimea to join the Autonomous Republic of Crimea to the Russian Federation takes effect the moment it is made, Ruslan Temirgaliyev, first deputy chairman of Council of Ministers, said.
• Russia, still no US accord on settling Ukraine crisis - Russian FM Lavrov VoR 06 Mar 2014 -- Russia and the US have yet to reach an accord on the situation in Ukraine, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told reporters after meeting with his US counterpart John Kerry.
• Referendum on Sevastopol's annexation to Russia to be held on March 16 VoR 06 Mar 2014 -- Sevastopol city council has ordained to hold a referendum on Sevastopol's annexation to Russia on March 16. Forty nine deputies out of 50 presented in the boardroom voted for this decision. Sevastopol city council has also included two questions of the Crimea's referendum that will also be held on March 16.
• Statement by the President on Ukraine The White House 06 Mar 2014
• Statement by the Press Secretary on Ukraine The White House 06 Mar 2014
• USS Truxtun Departs Souda Bay for Black Sea NNS 06 Mar 2014 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Truxtun (DDG 103) departed Souda Bay, March 6, en route to conduct combined training and theater security cooperation engagements in the Black Sea with Romanian and Bulgarian Naval forces.
• Obama: Crimean Referendum Violation of International Law VOA 06 Mar 2014 -- Speaking at the White House on the escalating crisis in Ukraine, President Barack Obama has condemned a secession initiative put forth by Russian-backed lawmakers in Ukraine's Crimea, calling it a violation of International Law. He also reiterates the West's backing of Ukraine's new government.
• US Imposes Visa Ban Amid Ukraine Crisis VOA 06 Mar 2014 -- The Obama administration says Russians and Ukrainians who are impeding the democratic process in Ukraine will have their U.S. visas cancelled or denied and also face financial sanctions.
• Secretary General assures Ukrainian Prime Minister that NATO stands by Ukraine NATO 06 Mar 2014 -- NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen told Ukraine's Prime Minister Arsenii Yatseniuk on Thursday (6 March 2014) that "in these difficult moments, NATO stands by Ukraine.
• U.S. Imposes Sanctions On Individuals 'Threatening Ukraine's Sovereignty' RFE/RL 06 Mar 2014 -- The United States has imposed visa restrictions on individuals and institutions it says are 'threatening the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.'
• West Targets Russia With Sanctions, Threats Over Crimea RFE/RL 06 Mar 2014 -- Western leaders have threatened serious consequences against Russia if it fails to deescalate the situation in Ukraine's occupied peninsula of Crimea, where a disputed parliamentary vote to join Russia has heightened fears of conflict.
• Crimean Lawmakers Coordinate With Russians To Push Annexation RFE/RL 06 Mar 2014 -- Lawmakers in Crimea's pro-Russia regional parliament have voted 78 to 0 to join the Russian Federation, the latest in a series of coordinated steps by lawmakers in both Russia and Crimea to try to clear legal barriers for the Kremlin to annex the Ukrainian peninsula.
• Crimean Parliament Votes To Join Russia As EU Mulls Action On Ukraine RFE/RL 06 Mar 2014 -- The parliament in Ukraine's Crimea region has voted to join Russia, as EU leaders began discussing a response to the occupation of Crimea by Russian forces.
• Kremlin TV Channel Anchor Resigns Over Crimean Crisis RIA Novosti 06 Mar 2014 -- A US anchor at the Kremlin-funded TV news channel RT has resigned on air, saying the network "whitewashes" the actions of President Vladimir Putin.
• Explainer: How Do Russia's And Ukraine's Armies Compare? RFE/RL 06 Mar 2014 -- The worst-case scenario in the Russia-Ukraine crisis would be a war between the two states. How do their respective forces compare?
• President Putin's Fiction: 10 False Claims about Ukraine US Dept. of State 05 Mar 2014
• Questions on Ukraine the West chooses not to answer RT.com 05 Mar 2014 -- Ukrainian and Western refusal to answer Moscow's hard questions explains Russia's tough stance on the crisis in Kiev.
• Tensions Rise in Crimea Amid Diplomatic Efforts VOA 05 Mar 2014 -- International efforts to defuse the situation in Ukraine will continue Thursday after a series of meetings Wednesday that U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said made some progress. Meanwhile, tension over Russia's military moves boiled over in parts of eastern Ukraine.
• Remarks With British Foreign Secretary William Hague, and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Deshchytsia at Top of Tripartite Agreement Ministerial US Dept. of State 05 Mar 2014
• 5 March 2014 - Press Conference by Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson at United Nations Headquarters United Nations 05 Mar 2014
• Armed men in Crimea threaten UN envoy; Ban dispatches human rights official to Ukraine UN News Centre 05 Mar 2014 -- The United Nations has confirmed that Senior Advisor Robert Serry is in good shape physically after being threatened today during his visit to Crimea, Ukraine, by armed men who ordered him to leave the region.
• Senior U.S. Diplomat Warns Russia Not To 'Test International Community' RFE/RL 05 Mar 2014 -- The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations says Russia will face 'much deeper political and economic isolation' if it seeks a military solution to the crisis in the Ukrainian region of Crimea.
• Russians seize Ukraine's Crimea missile units: Report Iran Press TV 05 Mar 2014 -- Russian forces have reportedly seized two Ukrainian missile defense units in Ukraine's southern Crimea region.
• Crimea Rejects Talks with Ukraine Leadership RIA Novosti 05 Mar 2014 -- The recently appointed head of the southern Ukrainian republic of Crimea says his government refuses to negotiate with newly installed central authorities in the capital, Kiev.
• Russia Insists on Formation of Ukraine Coalition Government RIA Novosti 05 Mar 2014 -- Russia's foreign minister said Wednesday that a February 21 agreement to create a coalition government in Ukraine is immutable and must be the basis for peace in the country.
• Ukrainian Navy Flagship Diverted Away from Crimea RIA Novosti 05 Mar 2014 -- The flagship of the Ukrainian Navy was diverted from returning to its home port in Crimea and will dock in Odessa instead, a military source told RIA Novosti on Wednesday.
• OSCE to Send Military Mission to Ukraine RIA Novosti 05 Mar 2014 -- The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe said Wednesday that it would send 35 unarmed military personnel to Ukraine to dispel concerns about "unusual military activities" in the south of the country.
• Lavrov, Kerry Agree That Ukraine Should Uphold Peace Accord RIA Novosti 05 Mar 2014 -- The top diplomats of Russia and the United States agreed at their meeting on Wednesday that they should help Ukraine to implement the EU-brokered reconciliation deal.
• Hagel: US Pledges to Stand with Ukrainian People VOA 05 Mar 2014 -- The United States has canceled military exercises with Russia over its actions in Ukraine, while boosting military contacts with NATO partners and other nations in Eastern Europe.
• US, UK, Ukraine Urge Direct Kyiv-Moscow Talks VOA 05 Mar 2014 -- The United States, Britain, and Ukraine have called for direct talks between Kyiv and Moscow, saying they are crucial to resolving the conflict in Ukraine's Crimean region.
• Russia's Defense Minister Denies Reports of Troops in Ukraine RIA Novosti 05 Mar 2014 -- Despite widespread evidence to the contrary, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Wednesday that reports of Russian soldiers in Ukraine were "complete nonsense."
• Russia Wags The Dog With Ukraine Disinformation Campaign RFE/RL 05 Mar 2014 -- Getting the real story of what is going on in Ukraine is hard enough. And the Russian media seems intent on making it even harder.
• Hagel, Dempsey Outline U.S., Partner Approach to Ukraine AFPS 05 Mar 2014 -- In advance of their budget testimony this morning before a Senate panel, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey outlined Defense Department activities pertaining to the crisis in Ukraine.
• NATO, EU Ambassadors hold joint informal talks on Ukraine NATO 05 Mar 2014 -- The North Atlantic Council (NAC) held a joint informal meeting with counterparts from the European Union's Political and Security Committee (PSC) at ambassadorial level on Wednesday (5 March 2014) to discuss the situation in Ukraine.
• EU Presents Ukraine Package, Freezes 'Misappropriated' Assets RFE/RL 05 Mar 2014 -- The European Commission has presented an economic aid package for Ukraine that is worth a total of 11 billion euros ($15 billion) over the next few years.
• Situation in Ukraine may have negative effect on Customs Union - Putin VoR 05 Mar 2014 -- President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that the crisis in Ukraine could have a negative effect on the Customs Union linking Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan, and called for measures to protect the three nations' producers and exporters. 'There might be negative effects for the Customs Union as well, so we should all think together on what needs to be done to protect our producers and exporters and work out parameters of cooperation with Ukraine,' Putin said during a meeting of the Higher Eurasian Economic Council attended by the presidents of Belarus and Kazakhstan.
• OSCE sends military observers to Crimea VoR 05 Mar 2014 -- The United States and 14 other nations on Tuesday are sending a military observer mission intended to monitor the tense Crimea region, amid tensions in Ukraine, according to a US official.
• ARC Government: three anti-aircraft missile regiments of Ukraine's Armed Forces join Crimean side VoR 05 Mar 2014 -- Three anti-aircraft missile regiment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine took side of the Government of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, reports the Crimean government. 'More than 700 soldiers and officers declared their readiness to defend the population of Crimea', forwards ITAR-TASS the statement of the representative of the Crimean autonomy.
• Remarks With British Foreign Secretary William Hague, and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Deshchytsia at Top of Tripartite Agreement Ministerial US Dept. of State 04 Mar 2014
• Background Briefing: Preview of Secretary of State John Kerry's Travel to Paris and Rome US Dept. of State 04 Mar 2014
• John Kerry, Secretary of State - Remarks at a Solo Press Availability US Dept. of State 04 Mar 2014
• In Europe, top UN officials press for diplomatic solution to Ukraine crisis UN News Centre 04 Mar 2014 -- As the situation in Ukraine remains in flux, senior United Nations officials in the region and elsewhere in Europe continue to push for a diplomatic solution to the crisis, with Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today stressing the need for calm and international unity in the pursuit of peace.
• FACT SHEET: International Support for Ukraine The White House 04 Mar 2014
• Germany, France to come up with pro-Russian plan on settling Ukraine crisis - French FM VoR 05 Mar 2014 -- French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said that Berlin and Paris intended to come up with a road map plan aimed at settling the Ukrainian crisis. 'The plan stipulates the withdrawal of troops, disarming of militants, compliance with the Constitution and early elections,' Fabius said. He stressed that Ukraine should work both with the EU and Russia.
• Tense situation in Crimea linked to possible use of Russian troops gone - Putin VoR 04 Mar 2014 -- The tense situation in Crimea, in which the use of the armed forces was possible, is gone, Russian President Vladimir Putin said. "The tense situation in Crimea with the possible use of the armed forces has simply expired. There was no such need," Putin told reporters in Novo-Ogaryovo on Tuesday.
• Hague terms Russia excuses to storm Ukraine 'baseless' Iran Press TV 04 Mar 2014 -- British Foreign Secretary William Hague has described as "baseless" the Russian president's justification and excuses to intervene in Ukraine militarily.
• Ukrainian President Requested Intervention – Russian UN Envoy RIA Novosti 04 Mar 2014 -- Ousted Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych asked Russia to deploy its troops in Ukraine, Russia's ambassador to the UN said Tuesday.
• Putin Slams Ukrainian Govt, Says Invasion 'Last Resort' RIA Novosti 04 Mar 2014 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday called the acting authorities in Ukraine illegitimate, but said a military intervention in Russia's western neighbor would be a last resort.
• Russia Not Obliged to Accept Agreements with Ukraine - Putin RIA Novosti 04 Mar 2014 -- President Vladimir Putin argued Tuesday that Russia has no legal obligations before Ukraine because it has undergone a revolution.
• Putin Denies Sending Russian Troops to Crimea RIA Novosti 04 Mar 2014 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday that his country has not deployed any troops in Crimea recently and has no plans to annex the peninsula.
• Ukraine Awaits Russia's Reply on $2 Bln Bailout - PM RIA Novosti 04 Mar 2014 -- Ukraine is waiting for a "clear response" from Russia on a $2 billion loan needed to cover its debt for Russian gas supplies, Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk said Tuesday.
• Crimea to Get Its Own Defense Ministry RIA Novosti 04 Mar 2014 -- The newly appointed leader of Crimea in southern Ukraine said Tuesday that the region is to form its own defense ministry.
• 5,500 Ukrainian Soldiers Defect to Serve an Independent Crimea RIA Novosti 04 Mar 2014 -- More than 5,500 soldiers have defected from Ukraine's military to serve the autonomous republic of Crimea, the region's newly appointed leader said.
• Kerry Condemns Russian 'Aggression' in Ukraine VOA 04 Mar 2014 -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says the United States would prefer to de-escalate tensions with Russia over Ukraine.
• West Faces Tough Choice on Ukraine VOA 04 Mar 2014 -- Russia's military moves in Ukraine have drawn criticism from around the world, particularly from the United States and Europe. Experts say Western nations have few options for influencing the situation, but a political solution might still be possible.
• Statement by the North Atlantic Council following meeting under article 4 of the Washington Treaty NATO 04 Mar 2014 -- The North Atlantic Council has met at Poland's request to hold consultations within the framework of Article 4 of the Washington Treaty, which states that "the parties will consult whenever, in the opinion of any of them, the territorial integrity, political independence, or security of any of the parties is threatened."
• Statement to the media by NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Ramussen following the meeting of the North Atlantic Council NATO 04 Mar 2014 -- We have just met at Poland's request to hold consultations within the framework of Article 4 of the Washington Treaty.
• Ukrainians Answer Call To Enlist Amid Russian Threats RFE/RL 04 Mar 2014 -- The army recruitment office in Cherkasy, central Ukraine, has never been so busy. More than 500 people have already turned up to enroll since Russian President Vladimir Putin declared on March 1 the right to invade Ukraine.
• Putin's Ukraine Strategy: Crazy, Shrewd, A Little Of Both? RFE/RL 04 Mar 2014 -- There has been much speculation about Russian forces deployed in Crimea since February 28. The West says they're Russian combat troops. Russian President Vladimir Putin says they're just local defense folks. So just who are they?
• Russian Forces In Crimea: Who Are They And Where Did They Come From? RFE/RL 04 Mar 2014 -- There has been much speculation about Russian forces deployed in Crimea since February 28. The West says they're Russian combat troops. Russian President Vladimir Putin says they're just local defense folks. So just who are they?
• It's time for Europe to prepare for refugee wave from Ukraine VoR 04 Mar 2014 -- Revolutionary unrest in Ukraine forced tens of thousands of citizens of this country to flee. Most of them went to Russia. However, if the situation in Ukraine will remain volatile, the flow of immigrants to Europe will increase.
• Yanukovych requests Russia to use armed forces to restore order in Ukraine - Russian UN envoy VoR 04 Mar 2014 -- The Russian authorities have received from Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych an appeal with a request to use the RF armed forces for the restoration of the constitutional order in his country, RF Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vitaly Churkin said at an open meeting of the UN Security Council on Monday.
• Russia urges Ukrainian regime to 'return to legitimacy' VoR 04 Mar 2014 -- Russia will only engage in a dialog with the ruling Ukrainian regime if it 'returns to legitimacy,' Putin's senior advisor Sergei Glazyev has said.
• US and EU trying to dissolve agreement on Ukrainian crisis settlement - Lavrov VoR 04 Mar 2014 -- The US and the EU are trying to dissolve the agreement on the Ukrainian crisis settlement reached between head of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych and the opposition on February 21, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told a press conference in Tunis following a meeting with his Tunisian counterpart Mongi Hamdi.
• Russia to continue to explain its position on Ukraine to NATO - diplomat VoR 04 Mar 2014 -- Russia has informed its partners at the Russia-NATO Council about dangerous trends in the development of the situation in Ukraine and will continue to explain its position on the matter, Russian Permanent Representative at NATO Alexander Grushko said in Brussels on Friday.
• US condemns Russian politics in Ukraine - Kerry VoR 04 Mar 2014 -- US Secretary of State John Kerry on Tuesday called Russia's politics in Ukraine an 'act of aggression' and reaffirmed Washington's commitment to the former Soviet state's territorial integrity.
• Capital of Crimea coming back to normal VoR 04 Mar 2014 -- The capital of Crimea gradually comes back to normal and its residents resume their habitual way of life. Hardly anything in the streets of the city reminds one of the recent events and political standoff with Kiev.
• US to extend $1 billion loan to Ukraine, wants to defuse tensions - Kerry VoR 04 Mar 2014 -- Washington does not want to be in confrontation with anyone over the events in Ukraine and is calling for tensions to be reduced, the United States' Secretary of State John Kerry said on Tuesday. Kerry says the United States will allot at least a $1 billion loan to Ukraine. Speaking at a press conference in Kiev on Tuesday, Kerry said the US is working on support for Ukraine as much as it can and is trying to determine Kiev's needs.
• Pentagon proposes $79.4 bln war budget despite Afghan exit VoR 04 Mar 2014 -- The Pentagon has proposed $79.4 billion in war funding in 2015 even though most or all US troops are due to withdraw from Afghanistan by the end of the year, officials said Tuesday.
• Europeans Pull Punches On Russia RFE/RL 04 Mar 2014 -- The Ukrainian crisis has sent European leaders scurrying to find responses to Russia's aggression. But so far, they seem more confused over what to do than they are united.
• Kerry Condemns Russia's 'Act Of Aggression' RFE/RL 04 Mar 2014 -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has condemned what he called Russia's 'act of aggression in Ukraine.'
• Remarks by President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu before Bilateral Meeting The White House 03 Mar 2014
• US UN Ambassador: Russian Intervention 'Act of Aggression' VOA 03 Mar 2014 -- The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations has strongly condemned Russia, saying there is nothing to justify its military presence in neighboring Ukraine.
• Remarks by Ambassador Samantha Power, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, at a UN Security Council Meeting on Ukraine, March 3, 2014 U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations 03 Mar 2014
• Obama: US Examining Steps to 'Isolate Russia' VOA 03 Mar 2014 -- President Obama has condemned Russia saying it is on 'the wrong side of history' for mobilizing forces around Ukraine's Crimean peninsula. His comments came as Russia moved troops into Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula by ferry.
• Yanukovych asked Putin for troops in Ukraine - Russian UN envoy VoR 03 Mar 2014 -- Ukraine's deposed president Viktor Yanukovych has formally asked Moscow to deploy Russian troops to re-establish law and order in his country, Russia told the UN Security Council on Monday.
• Russia Says Yanukovych Asked For Troops RFE/RL 03 Mar 2014 -- Russian Ambassador to the UN Vitaly Churkin has said that Ukraine's ousted President Viktor Yanukovych sent a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin requesting that he use the Russian military to restore law and order in his country.
• Ban and Russian Foreign Minister discuss need to de-escalate situation in Ukraine UN News Centre 03 Mar 2014 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov discussed the ongoing crisis in Ukraine during a meeting in Geneva today, while deputy United Nations chief Jan Eliasson arrived in Kiev to meet with authorities there.
• EU Condemns Russia 'Aggression' in Crimea RIA Novosti 03 Mar 2014 -- The European Union accused Russia of "acts of aggression" and a "clear violation of Ukrainian sovereignty" in a strongly-worded statement Monday that condemned the movement of troops into Crimea.
• Russia Slams Kerry's 'Threats' over Ukraine RIA Novosti 03 Mar 2014 -- The Russian Foreign Ministry on Monday condemned as "unacceptable threats" comments made by the US Secretary of State John Kerry over possible Russian military action in Ukraine.
• Russian Parliament Speaker Plays Down Talk of War in Ukraine RIA Novosti 03 Mar 2014 -- The speaker of Russia's lower house of parliament suggested Monday that there was no need for his country to use military force in neighboring Ukraine, in an apparent effort to temper anxieties as evidence emerges of substantial Russian troop deployments across Crimea.
• Ukraine's Ousted President Faces Additional Inquiry – Report RIA Novosti 03 Mar 2014 -- Ukrainian officials have begun criminal proceedings against ousted President Viktor Yanukovych for attempting to violate the constitution, the Ukrainian UNIAN news agency reported.
• Kherson, Nikolaev and Odessa declare their desire to join Crimea - official VoR 03 Mar 2014 -- Representatives of Kherson, Nikolaev and Odessa appeal to the leadership of the Crimea, expressing their desire to be part of the autonomous republic if its powers will be enhanced by the results of the referendum, which is expected to be held on March 30, Vice-Speaker of the Supreme Council of Crimea Sergey Tsekov said on Monday.
• Referendum in Crimea not possible - Ukrainian Central Election Commission VoR 03 Mar 2014 -- No referendum in Crimea (autonomy within Ukraine) is possible, the Ukrainian Central Election Commission said on Monday, March 3. "Under effective Ukrainian legislation no local referendum may be called, prepared and conducted," the commission's press service said.
• Ukrainian military unwilling to serve under Crimean gov't 'free to leave' - source VoR 03 Mar 2014 -- The military service members who do not want to serve under command of the Crimean authorities and obey their orders, are free to leave the peninsula, a source in the Supreme Council of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea has said.
• China FM clarifies stance on Ukraine situation People's Daily 03 Mar 2014 -- China's stance on the current situation in Ukraine is objective, just, fair and peaceful, Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said on Monday.
• US: Russian threat to Ukraine's navy 'dangerous escalation of situation' Iran Press TV 03 Mar 2014 -- The United States has warned Russia that it would hold the Kremlin "directly responsible" if it has threatened use of force against Ukrainian military.
• EU calls on Russia to withdraw from Ukraine Iran Press TV 03 Mar 2014 -- The European Union (EU) has called on Russia to pull its military forces back from Ukraine or risk consequences in its relations with the 28-nation bloc.
• Russia gives ultimatum to Ukraine's Crimea forces Iran Press TV 03 Mar 2014 -- Russia's Black Sea Fleet in the autonomous region of Crimea has reportedly given an ultimatum to Ukrainian forces in the peninsula.
• Regional gov't building seized in Ukraine's Donetsk Iran Press TV 03 Mar 2014 -- Pro-Russia protesters have seized a regional government building in Ukraine's eastern city of Donetsk as standoff in the region continues between Moscow and the West.
• Ukrainian gov't eager to intervene - Crimea Parliament VoR 03 Mar 2014 -- The Verkhovna Rada Autonomous Republic of Crimea stated this Monday that Kiev's government was eager to intervene in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea.
• Interview: In Crimea, Putin Has 'Lost His Mind' RFE/RL 03 Mar 2014 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision to deploy troops across the strategic Ukrainian region of Crimea has sparked an international outcry. Many Russians, too, are indignant.
• Number of high ranking Ukrainian military officials take oath to Crimea VoR 03 Mar 2014 -- A number of high ranking Ukrainian officials in Crimea have sworn their allegiance to the autonomous republic of Crimea, as Simferopol pushes for its autonomy from the self-imposed government in Kiev.
• G7 condemns Russia's intrusion into Ukraine, halts G8 preparations - White House VoR 03 Mar 2014 -- The Group of Seven major industrialized nations on Sunday condemned Russia's intrusion into Ukraine and canceled for now preparations for the G8 summit that includes Russia and had been scheduled to take place in Sochi in June, the White House said.
• Briefing on the Situation in Ukraine US Dept. of State 02 Mar 2014
• Hagel Discusses Ukraine, Budget on 'Face the Nation' AFPS 02 Mar 2014 -- Appearing on CBS' "Face the Nation", Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel urged a diplomatic approach to resolve what he described as a "dangerous situation" in Ukraine.
• Obama, Hagel Contact Top Russian Officials on Ukraine AFPS 02 Mar 2014 -- President Barack Obama and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel called their Russian counterparts to express their concerns over recent events in Ukraine, according to White House and Defense Department news releases issued.
• North Atlantic Council statement on the situation in Ukraine NATO 02 Mar 2014 -- The North Atlantic Council condemns the Russian Federation's military escalation in Crimea and expresses its grave concern regarding the authorisation by the Russian Parliament to use the armed forces of the Russian Federation on the territory of Ukraine.
• NATO Official Urges Russia to De-escalate Tensions in Ukraine AFPS 02 Mar 2014 -- NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen urged Russia to de-escalate tensions in Ukraine, according his statements contained in a NATO news release.
• Opening remarks by NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen at the Press Conference held at NATO HQ, Brussels NATO 02 Mar 2014
• Doorstep statement by NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen NATO 02 Mar 2014
• NATO urges Russia to withdraw troops from Crimea Iran Press TV 02 Mar 2014 -- The chief of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has called on Russia to withdraw its forces from Ukraine's Crimea region.
• NATO Meeting Over Ukraine RFE/RL 02 Mar 2014 -- NATO is to hold an urgent meeting in Brussels to consider the situation in Ukraine.
• Russia declared war on Ukraine: Yatsenyuk Iran Press TV 02 Mar 2014 -- New Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk has accused Russia of declaring war on the country.
• G-7 Countries Suspend Planning For Russia Summit RFE/RL 02 Mar 2014 -- The Group of Seven leading industrialized countries say they are suspending participation in the planning for an international summit in Russia.'
• Fear Is In The Air Among Crimean Tatars RFE/RL 02 Mar 2014
• Crimean Tatar Leader Tells People To Stay At Home, Avoid Confrontations RFE/RL 02 Mar 2014 -- With tensions escalating in Crimea, Mustafa Dzhamilev, a local Tatar leader and former Soviet dissident, spoke on March 1 to RFE/RL Russian Service's Dmitry Volchek. Dzhamilev says that he is telling local Tatars to stay away from protests and to avoid any provocations.
• Putin's stance on Crimea is message for West to stop hidden aggression against Ukraine VoR 02 Mar 2014 -- In a recent phone talk with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Vladimir Putin said that Russia would not stand still if violation against ethnic Russians continues in Ukraine. However, of course, Russia would act within the framework of international law.
• Crimea parliament head urges Crimeans to support state independence VoR 02 Mar 2014 -- Speaker of the Supreme Council of Crimea Vladimir Konstantinov addressed residents with the request to support the transition to state independence at the upcoming referendum.
• Crimea to seek larger-than-autonomous status at referendum – local parliament head VoR 02 Mar 2014 -- The authorities of Crimea do not obey the new central government in Kiev, Chairman of the republic's Supreme Council (parliament) Vladimir Konstantinov said on Sunday.
• Crimean Authorities Confirm Takeover of Military Units RIA Novosti 02 Mar 2014 -- Ukraine's autonomous region of Crimea confirmed Sunday that the majority of Ukrainian military units stationed on the Crimean peninsula have expressed their support of legitimately elected Pro-Russian authorities.
• Ukraine Urges Putin to Abandon Military Intervention Plans RIA Novosti 02 Mar 2014 -- Ukrainian lawmakers appealed Sunday to Russian President Vladimir Putin to reconsider deploying additional troops in Crimea in order to avoid the military escalation of the current political crisis in the country.
• Russia Hosts Rallies in Support of Compatriots in Ukraine RIA Novosti 02 Mar 2014 -- Thousands of people in Russia's two largest cities on Sunday took part in rallies in support of the Russian-speaking population in Ukraine amid the deepening political crisis in the former Soviet state.
• Ukrainian Troops in Crimea Side with Pro-Russia Forces RIA Novosti 02 Mar 2014 -- Ukrainian servicemen stationed in Crimea are leaving en masse their military units and handing over weaponry and arsenals to local pro-Russia authorities and militia, a RIA Novosti correspondent reported Sunday.
• Some 675,000 Ukrainians Fled to Russia Amid Crisis – Report RIA Novosti 02 Mar 2014 -- Russia's border guard service said Sunday that some 675,000 Ukrainian citizens have migrated to Russia since the beginning of 2014 amid fears of uncertain future in crisis-hit Ukraine.
• Putin Tells Obama Russia Will Act In Case of Ukraine Violence RIA Novosti 02 Mar 2014 -- Russian leader Vladimir Putin told US President Barack Obama in a telephone conversation Sunday that Moscow reserved the right to protect its own interests and those of Russian speakers in the event of violence breaking out in eastern Ukraine and Crimea.
• Ukraine Appeals to NATO for Assistance RIA Novosti 02 Mar 2014 -- Ukraine appealed for assistance from NATO on Saturday, asking it to use all possible measures to ensure its territorial integrity and protect its people.
• Amid ongoing crisis, Ban dispatches deputy UN chief Jan Eliasson to Ukraine UN News Centre 02 Mar 2014 -- The United Nations announced on Sunday that Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson is heading to Ukraine amid the ongoing crisis in the country to get an understanding of the situation on the ground.
• Kerry Heading to Ukraine as Russia Tightens Grip on Crimea VOA 02 Mar 2014 -- Secretary of State John Kerry will be heading to Kyiv Monday for discussions there Tuesday, the U.S. top diplomat tweeted as Russia continued to assert increasing control over Ukraine's Crimean peninsula.
• US: All Options on Table in Ukraine VOA 02 Mar 2014 -- The crisis in Ukraine is consuming Washington's attention, with the Obama administration issuing stark warnings to Russia over its seizure of Crimea, while Ukraine mobilizes military reservists and accuses Moscow of declaring war.
• Crimean PM announces creation of regional Navy VoR 02 Mar 2014 -- Admiral Denis Berezovsky, appointed as head of Ukraine's Navy forces just two days ago, has sworn allegiance to the people of Crimea. Taking his oath, regional Prime Minister Sergey Aksyonov announced creating Crimea's Navy.
• Ukraine launches treason case against Navy chief who surrendered VoR 02 Mar 2014 -- Ukraine launched a treason case on Sunday against the head of the navy, who surrendered his headquarters on Sunday in the Crimean port of Sevastopol on only his second day on the job.
• Ukrainian Navy chief defects to Crimea Iran Press TV 02 Mar 2014 -- Head of the Ukrainian Navy Rear Admiral Denis Berezovsky has switched allegiance to the Crimea region amid a growing tension between Russia and the West over the semi-autonomous territory.
• Kiev-controlled Rada cautions Putin against sending troops to Ukraine VoR 02 Mar 2014 -- Verkhovna Rada lawmakers have cautioned Russian President Vladimir Putin against sending troops to Ukraine.
• UNSC urges nations to show restraint with regard to Ukraine VoR 02 Mar 2014 -- The UN Security Council held an emergency meeting overnight into Sunday, as well as consultations on the situation in Ukraine to call for dialogue. Russia insists that Ukraine should return to a constitutional framework.
• Ukraine declares total mobilization VoR 02 Mar 2014 -- Ukraine has announced general mobilization, with Secretary of the National Security Council Andriy Parubiy declaring that the entire country will be put on full combat alert.
• Ukraine mobilizes military reservists Iran Press TV 02 Mar 2014 -- Ukraine's top security official says he has ordered a call-up of all military reserves in the Eastern European country as tensions rise between Russia and the West in the region.
• Readout of the President's Calls with Prime Minister Cameron, President Komorowski, and Chancellor Merkel The White House 02 Mar 2014
• G-7 Leaders Statement The White House 02 Mar 2014
• Russian troops heading to Ukraine's Crimea Iran Press TV 02 Mar 2014 -- Hundreds of Russian troops are reportedly heading towards the autonomous region of Crimea in southern Ukraine as the political crisis continues in the former Soviet state.
• Readout of President Obama's Call with President Putin The White House 01 Mar 2014
• Remarks by Ambassador Samantha Power, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, at a UN Security Council Meeting on Ukraine U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations 01 Mar 2014
• Readout of President Obama's calls with President Hollande and Prime Minister Harper The White House 01 Mar 2014
• Russians Ambivalent As Putin Threatens Ukraine Invasion RFE/RL 02 Mar 2014 -- Competing rallies in Russia's two biggest cities have laid bare divisions among Russians over a possible military intervention in Ukraine.
• Remarks by Ambassador Samantha Power, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, at a Security Council Stakeout on Ukraine U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations 01 Mar 2014
• Russian peace and stabilization intervention in Ukraine: Prospective scenario VoR 02 Mar 2014 -- The escalating tension brought about by the Ukrainian insurgent "government" has resulted in reciprocal protective measures by the Russian Federation, namely to authorize the use of military units to protect Russian citizens and military (possibly even energy) infrastructure from attack.
• Russia expects West reaction to Ukranian nationalists' call for help from terrorists VoR 01 Mar 2014 -- Moscow expects the West's reaction to the call of the head of the ultranationalist Ukrainian organization ' The Right sector' and one of the Maidan leaders Dmitry Yarosh, to the leader of Chechen terrorists Doku Umarov, reported the Russian Foreign Ministry commissioner on human rights Konstantin Dolgov .
• Russia Moves to Send Troops into Crimea VOA 01 Mar 2014 -- With the new government in Kyiv weak and in disarray, Russia has made an aggressive move into Crimea. In a unanimous vote, Russia's upper house of parliament Saturday gave President Vladimir Putin the green light to send troops to Ukraine, without specifying where. In a separate measure, the Russian legislators asked the president to withdraw Russia's ambassador to Washington.
• Russian senators approve use of military forces on Ukrainian territory VoR 01 Mar 2014 -- Russia's Federation Council has unanimously approved President Vladimir Putin's request to use Russian military forces in Ukraine. The move is aimed to settle the turmoil in the split country.
• Amid Escalation Fears, Russia Says Kiev Sent Fighters to Crimea RIA Novosti 01 Mar 2014 -- Armed men dispatched from Kiev to the southern Ukrainian region of Crimea attempted an overnight storm of the local Interior Ministry, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Saturday.
• Consent to use Russian military force in Crimea doesn't mean immediate action - official VoR 01 Mar 2014 -- The Federation Council's decision to grant the Russian president the right to use Russian troops in the Crimea does not mean that it will be done in the nearest future, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
• Russian parliament authorizes Putin to send troops to Crimea Iran Press TV 01 Mar 2014 -- The Russian parliament has sanctioned President Vladimir Putin to deploy troops to ensure security in Ukraine's semi-autonomous region of Crimea.
• Parliament OKs Putin Request To Use Russian Forces In Ukraine RFE/RL 01 Mar 2014 -- Russia's upper house of parliament has voted unanimously to approve President Vladimir Putin's request for authorization to use Russian armed forces in Ukraine.
• Russian Parliament Approves Military Action in Ukraine RIA Novosti 01 Mar 2014 -- Russia's upper house of parliament unanimously approved a request from President Vladimir Putin on Saturday to deploy military forces in Ukraine in a move that could escalate a confrontation in the Crimean peninsula.
• Russian Parliamentarians Call on Putin to Act in Crimea RIA Novosti 01 Mar 2014 -- The leaders of Russia's upper and lower houses of parliament called Saturday on President Vladimir Putin to stabilize the situation in Crimea and protect Russian citizens.
• Putin Asks Parliament to Approve Military Action in Ukraine RIA Novosti 01 Mar 2014 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has requested approval from the country's upper house of parliament to move armed forces into Ukraine, according to the Kremlin's press service.
• 1 March 2014 - Transcript of Press Briefing by Spokesperson for Secretary-General United Nations 01 Mar 2014
• As Security Council holds urgent talks, Ban urges dialogue to resolve Ukraine crisis UN News Centre 01 Mar 2014 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Saturday called for direct dialogue between all concerned amid the growing tensions in the Crimea region of Ukraine, as the United Nations Security Council holds urgent talks for the second day in a row on the crisis.
• McCain to Obama: Take steps against Putin over Ukraine crisis Iran Press TV 01 Mar 2014 -- US Republican Senator John McCain has called on the Obama administration to take action against Russian President Vladimir Putin over the crisis in Ukraine.
• Ban Ki-moon 'gravely concerned' over Ukraine Iran Press TV 01 Mar 2014 -- UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon says he is 'gravely concerned about the deterioration of the situation' in Ukraine.
• Russian flag raised outside Donetsk regional administration VoR 01 Mar 2014 -- People protesting against the new Ukrainian authorities have brought down Ukraine's national flag and replaced it with the Russian tricolor.
• Russian flag raised at regional administration building in Kharkov VoR 01 Mar 2014 -- Protesters in central Kharkov, the site of a rally in defence of the city, have driven radicals out of the building of regional administration in Svoboda (or Freedom) Square.
• Russian passports could be given not only to Berkut - Russian Consulate in Ukraine VoR 01 Mar 2014 -- The Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Simferopol did not exclude that Russian passports can be issued not only to officers of the special police division Berkut, but also to other citizens of Ukraine, Consul General, Vyacheslav Svetlichny said.
• Unidentified armed people try to seize Crimean Interior Ministry - Russian Foreign Ministry VoR 01 Mar 2014 -- Overnight into March 1, a group of unidentified armed people, sent from Kiev, attempted to seize the building of the Crimean Interior Ministry, a few people were injured, the Russian Foreign Ministry says in a statement.
• NATO, EU Warn Russia Against Force As Ukraine On Alert RFE/RL 01 Mar 2014 -- Acting President Oleksandr Turchynov says he has ordered Ukraine's armed forces to be put on combat alert, as the European Union and NATO called on Russia not to deploy armed forces in Ukraine.
• Crimean Leader Appeals to Putin, Confirms Russian Troop Presence RIA Novosti 01 Mar 2014 -- The Crimean Prime Minister said Saturday that Russian troops are operating on the Ukrainian peninsula and made a personal appeal to Russian President Vladimir Putin for more assistance.