Accessibility links

Breaking News
Russian President Vladimir Putin holds a news conference at his country residence of Novo-Ogaryova outside Moscow on March 4.
Russian President Vladimir Putin holds a news conference at his country residence of Novo-Ogaryova outside Moscow on March 4.

Live Blog: Ukraine On The Brink

Summary

-- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry arrived in Kyiv as U.S. officials announced Washington is preparing a $1 billion aid package for Ukraine.

-- Speaking at a press conference at his residence, Russian President Vladimir Putin has called the change of government in Ukraine an "unconstitutional overthrow and an armed seizure of power."

-- Putin also said there are no considerations to annex Crimea and no intentions to provoke separatist sentiment. He said it is up to the citizens of Crimea to determine their own future.

-- In Crimea, there are standoffs between Russian and Ukrainian troops in their bases, with conflicting reports of ultimatums given to Ukrainian troops to surrender that come and pass.

-- 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.

-- In eastern Ukraine, pro-Russian demonstrators have occupied part of the regional government building in the city of Donetsk. Meanwhile, a few hundred pro-Russian activists tried but failed to force their way into the regional administration building in the southern city of Odesa.

NOTE: Live blog updates are listed according to local time in Kyiv

-- Glenn Kates / Luke Allnutt / Coilin O'Connor / Dan Wisniewski
09:32 1.3.2014
10:10 1.3.2014
From the wires:
The pro-Kremlin prime minister of Ukraine's Crimea region says a referendum of the peninsula’s future has been pushed forward by nearly two months to March 30. Speaking Saturday at the first cabinet session of his newly established Crimean regional government, Serhiy Aksyonov said the referendum was being expedited "due to necessity." Voters will be asked whether they agree with the statement: “The Autonomous Republic of Crimea has state independence and is a part of Ukraine on the basis of agreements and accords.”
10:10 1.3.2014
10:36 1.3.2014
10:37 1.3.2014
10:37 1.3.2014
10:37 1.3.2014
10:38 1.3.2014
10:38 1.3.2014
10:38 1.3.2014

Load more

XS
SM
MD
LG