12:23
18.3.2014
Meanwhile, here's some more from the wires on U.S. Vice President Joe Biden's trip to Europe:
A senior administration official who is traveling with Biden is quoted as saying the American vice president will reaffirm the NATO allies of Article 5 commitments, discuss how to support Ukraine as it tries to stabilize its economy, and debate further steps to take in the weeks ahead. Biden is not expected to discuss any changes in the missile-defense strategy in Eastern Europe. (AP, WarsawVoice.com)
A senior administration official who is traveling with Biden is quoted as saying the American vice president will reaffirm the NATO allies of Article 5 commitments, discuss how to support Ukraine as it tries to stabilize its economy, and debate further steps to take in the weeks ahead. Biden is not expected to discuss any changes in the missile-defense strategy in Eastern Europe. (AP, WarsawVoice.com)
12:19
18.3.2014
Former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine denounces "blatant land grab" in Crimea
Putin's decisionfor #Russia to annex Crimea = most blatant land grab in Europe since WWII. Will trigger additional Western sanctions.
— Steven Pifer (@steven_pifer) March 18, 2014
12:13
18.3.2014
Putin's website is wasting no time today. It's already posted the text of the Crimea treaty: kremlin.ru/news/20604
12:07
18.3.2014
They did it live on TV. Putin and Crimean leaders signed a treaty annexing Crimea and the city of Sevastopol as part of the Russian Federation. Lawmakers applauded and chanted "Russia! Russia!"
11:53
18.3.2014
Putin's website has begun posting the text of his speech in Russian: http://t.co/9WETI7639n
— Robert Coalson (@CoalsonR) March 18, 2014
11:53
18.3.2014
Burst of applause, chanting, and standing ovation as Putin asks for the annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol.
11:49
18.3.2014
Putin getting a lot off his chest. Listing examples of West working around or without UN Security Council, NATO expansion, missile defense
— Kirit Radia (@KiritRadia) March 18, 2014
11:36
18.3.2014
Putin accuses the West, led by the United States, of imposing its will on the world and thinking "they can only be right."
He says Russia is constantly being "driven into a corner" simply for its "independent position." He also praises China and India for their "understanding" of world affairs, for which he gets a round of applause.
He says Russia is constantly being "driven into a corner" simply for its "independent position." He also praises China and India for their "understanding" of world affairs, for which he gets a round of applause.
11:27
18.3.2014
Putin says Kosovo is "absolutely analogous" to Crimea and quotes the UN court ruling on Kosovo's self-determination.
11:22
18.3.2014
Putin: New Ukrainian government is illegitimate. "There is no one to talk with."