18:16
28.2.2014
Meanwhile, the head of the IMF had some things to say today about the possible threat of financial crisis in Ukraine:
The head of the International Monetary Fund says there's no reason to panic over Ukraine's economic situation.
Ukraine's new authorities have said the debt-burdened country may need at least $15 billion in IMF financial aid.
But IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde cautioned on February 28 that no proper assessment of Ukraine's needs has been conducted since this month's deadly upheaval in Kyiv resulted in a new government.
"We do not see anything that is critical, that is worthy of panic at the moment," she said. "And we would certainly hope that authorities [in Ukraine] refrain from throwing lots of numbers, which are really meaningless until they've been assessed properly."
An IMF team is expected to visit Ukraine next week for talks on a possible aid program. (AFP, Reuters)
The head of the International Monetary Fund says there's no reason to panic over Ukraine's economic situation.
Ukraine's new authorities have said the debt-burdened country may need at least $15 billion in IMF financial aid.
But IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde cautioned on February 28 that no proper assessment of Ukraine's needs has been conducted since this month's deadly upheaval in Kyiv resulted in a new government.
"We do not see anything that is critical, that is worthy of panic at the moment," she said. "And we would certainly hope that authorities [in Ukraine] refrain from throwing lots of numbers, which are really meaningless until they've been assessed properly."
An IMF team is expected to visit Ukraine next week for talks on a possible aid program. (AFP, Reuters)
17:34
28.2.2014
Russian flags gone up on two border points btw Crimea and mainland. Pro-Russia men w/guns checking cars. V/@PaulSonne pic.twitter.com/NtNDh3SUj9
— PzFeed Top News (@PzFeed) February 28, 2014
17:33
28.2.2014
One of Simferopol's three synagogues last night graffitied with 'death to Jews', swastikas #provocation pic.twitter.com/Te1atNS7Vk
— tom balmforth (@BalmforthTom) February 28, 2014
17:06
28.2.2014
Russia is essentially adopting Berkut by having its Crimean consulate give all its members Russian passports https://t.co/WvRAGerccq
— max seddon (@maxseddon) February 28, 2014
17:06
28.2.2014
It seems that the Ukraine's Berkut or special riot police could soon be entitled to Russian passport, at least according to this status update on the Russian Foreign Ministry's Facebook page:
Post by МИД России.
17:01
28.2.2014
Here are some more details on Putin's comments from RFE/RL's newsdesk:
Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned against further violence and called for a rapid return to normalcy in Russia's western neighbor.
The Kremlin said on February 28 that Putin had discussed the Ukrainian crisis in phone conversations with British Prime Minister David Cameron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and Herman van Rompuy, president of the EU's European Council.
Cameron's office said Putin had told the British prime minister that Russia would respect Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty.
Downing Street added that Cameron and Putin agreed on the importance of Ukraine holding free and fair new elections.
The United States has again warned Moscow, saying Russian intervention in Ukraine would be a grave mistake. (Reuters, Interfax, AFP)
Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned against further violence and called for a rapid return to normalcy in Russia's western neighbor.
The Kremlin said on February 28 that Putin had discussed the Ukrainian crisis in phone conversations with British Prime Minister David Cameron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and Herman van Rompuy, president of the EU's European Council.
Cameron's office said Putin had told the British prime minister that Russia would respect Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty.
Downing Street added that Cameron and Putin agreed on the importance of Ukraine holding free and fair new elections.
The United States has again warned Moscow, saying Russian intervention in Ukraine would be a grave mistake. (Reuters, Interfax, AFP)
16:53
28.2.2014
And here's another English-subtitled clip of Yanukovych -- this time he appears to let his emotions get the better of him:
16:52
28.2.2014
Here's an English-subtitled clip from Yanukovych's press conference, in which he denies that he has been ousted:
16:37
28.2.2014
!!! BREAKING !!!
Russian President Vladimir Putin says there must be no further escalation of violence in Ukraine. The Kremlin said Putin had spoken by telephone about the Ukrainian crisis with the leaders of Britain and Germany. (Reuters, Interfax, AFP)
16:35
28.2.2014
Here's another update from our newsdesk on the airport situation in Crimea:
The head of Ukraine's Security Council says two airports in Crimea are now under Ukrainian control, despite attempts by armed men to seize them on February 28.
Ukraine’s new authorities have accused Russia over what they called an armed "invasion" by military forces of airports in the Crimean capital, Simferopol, and near Sevastopol, where Russia's Black Sea Fleet is based.
Pro-Russian forces were also seen around other Crimean facilities on February 28.
A spokesman for Russia's Black Sea Fleet said any troop movements were in accordance with its basing treaty with Ukraine.
Ukraine's new authorities have called for a UN Security Council meeting to discuss the situation. European Union officials have called on all sides to prevent escalation.
Kyiv has also officially protested to Russia over alleged violations of Ukrainian airspace by Russian aircraft in Ukraine's Crimean peninsula. (Reuters,AP,AFP)
The head of Ukraine's Security Council says two airports in Crimea are now under Ukrainian control, despite attempts by armed men to seize them on February 28.
Ukraine’s new authorities have accused Russia over what they called an armed "invasion" by military forces of airports in the Crimean capital, Simferopol, and near Sevastopol, where Russia's Black Sea Fleet is based.
Pro-Russian forces were also seen around other Crimean facilities on February 28.
A spokesman for Russia's Black Sea Fleet said any troop movements were in accordance with its basing treaty with Ukraine.
Ukraine's new authorities have called for a UN Security Council meeting to discuss the situation. European Union officials have called on all sides to prevent escalation.
Kyiv has also officially protested to Russia over alleged violations of Ukrainian airspace by Russian aircraft in Ukraine's Crimean peninsula. (Reuters,AP,AFP)