14:11
28.2.2014
"We see theatrical performance involving insurgents&authors of this bloody scenario that was not written in #Ukraine" pic.twitter.com/1ben1qUPfd
— Paulina Leonovich (@Polly_evro) February 28, 2014
14:12
28.2.2014
Moderator refers to Yanukovych as "the President," says he doesn't have much more than an hour to talk. What, he's got somewhere to be?
— Simon Shuster (@shustry) February 28, 2014
14:13
28.2.2014
Ukrainians on Instagram react to Yanukovych presser. Via @novaya_gazeta pic.twitter.com/fjLtxTOWz3
— max seddon (@maxseddon) February 28, 2014
14:49
28.2.2014
The 'Kyiv Post" has published this English transcript of the Yanukovych press conference.
15:04
28.2.2014
Meanwhile, RFE/RL's newsdesk has issued this item on some EU reactions to the situation in Crimea:
Germany, France, and Poland say they're "deeply concerned" over developments in Ukraine's Crimea region and have called on all sides to do "everything to reduce tensions" and promote dialogue.
The appeal came in a joint statement on February 28 by the foreign ministers of the three EU countries.
The three ministers played a key role in negotiations on the agreement signed one week ago by ousted President Viktor Yanukovych and the former opposition aimed at ending Ukraine's deadly unrest.
Yanukovych fled Kyiv a short time after the signing and the deal, which called for early presidential elections and a unity government, has not been implemented.
On February 28, the EU's executive body, the European Commission, on all parties involved in the Ukrainian crisis to show "maximum restraint" and respect Ukraine's territorial integrity and unity. (AFP, dpa, Reuters)
Germany, France, and Poland say they're "deeply concerned" over developments in Ukraine's Crimea region and have called on all sides to do "everything to reduce tensions" and promote dialogue.
The appeal came in a joint statement on February 28 by the foreign ministers of the three EU countries.
The three ministers played a key role in negotiations on the agreement signed one week ago by ousted President Viktor Yanukovych and the former opposition aimed at ending Ukraine's deadly unrest.
Yanukovych fled Kyiv a short time after the signing and the deal, which called for early presidential elections and a unity government, has not been implemented.
On February 28, the EU's executive body, the European Commission, on all parties involved in the Ukrainian crisis to show "maximum restraint" and respect Ukraine's territorial integrity and unity. (AFP, dpa, Reuters)
15:14
28.2.2014
Our newsdesk has also issued this update regarding the airports in Crimea that were reportedly seized by armed men on February 28:
The head of Ukraine's Security Council says two airports in Crimea are "de facto" under Ukrainian control, despite attempts by armed men to seize them on February 28.
Andriy Parubiy said armed men had set up checkpoints outside the airports.
Ukraine's interior minister, Arsen Avakov, previouslysaid the airports in Sevastopol, where Russia's Black Sea Fleet is based, and the regional capital, Simferopol, were controlled by Russian navy troops.
The Ukrainian parliament urged Moscow to halt moves that could undermine Ukrainian national sovereignty.
The Black Sea Fleet denied its troops had moved into the airports, and the Russian Foreign Ministry said it considers events in Crimea the result of internal political differences.
Tensions have been rising in Crimea, which has a majority ethnic Russian population, since the ouster of pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych.
Earlier on February 28, Ukraine called for a UN Security Council meeting to consider the situation in Crimea, after describing the seizure of the two airports as a "military invasion" by Russian forces. (Reuters, AP, Interfax)
The head of Ukraine's Security Council says two airports in Crimea are "de facto" under Ukrainian control, despite attempts by armed men to seize them on February 28.
Andriy Parubiy said armed men had set up checkpoints outside the airports.
Ukraine's interior minister, Arsen Avakov, previouslysaid the airports in Sevastopol, where Russia's Black Sea Fleet is based, and the regional capital, Simferopol, were controlled by Russian navy troops.
The Ukrainian parliament urged Moscow to halt moves that could undermine Ukrainian national sovereignty.
The Black Sea Fleet denied its troops had moved into the airports, and the Russian Foreign Ministry said it considers events in Crimea the result of internal political differences.
Tensions have been rising in Crimea, which has a majority ethnic Russian population, since the ouster of pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych.
Earlier on February 28, Ukraine called for a UN Security Council meeting to consider the situation in Crimea, after describing the seizure of the two airports as a "military invasion" by Russian forces. (Reuters, AP, Interfax)
15:22
28.2.2014
This water canon has been turned into an art gallery pic.twitter.com/orTzWU3X9U
— Paul Gypteau (@paulgypteau) February 28, 2014
16:24
28.2.2014
A topical "New Yorker" cartoon:
New Yorker gives us a timely cartoon pic.twitter.com/Ebv7GAQpsw
— Doug Saunders (@DougSaunders) February 28, 2014
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)
16:37
28.2.2014