21:02
19.3.2014
We're wrapping up our live blogging for today. Before we go, we'll point you in the direction of an excellent piece by RFE/RL's Ivan Belyayev on where some Russians think Vladimir Putin should intervene next after Crimea.
20:52
19.3.2014
"Business New Europe" has published an extensive and useful analysis of how hard Crimea's annexation might hit Russia's coffers. It reckons that Moscow's actions could cost as much as $440 billion over the course of the year, and that's "before the West inflicts a single cent's worth of sanctions."
19:28
19.3.2014
"The Moscow Times" is reporting that the new authorities in Crimea will ask Tatars to vacate part of the land where they now live in exchange for new territory elsewhere in the region.
19:17
19.3.2014
Must-read @Reuters: "Moscow signals concern for Russians in Estonia" http://t.co/tZYkhPuZsj
— John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) March 19, 2014
19:08
19.3.2014
Exactly one month ago tonight. 4 weeks that changed #Ukraine forever. pic.twitter.com/3Ututsr6Qu via @kgorchinskaya
— Geoffrey Pyatt (@GeoffPyatt) March 19, 2014
18:53
19.3.2014
More economic repercussions:
Germany says it is suspending a military deal with Russia in response to Moscow’s annexation of Ukraine’s Crimea.
The German Economy Ministry said a contract signed in 2011 for the construction of a combat simulation center for Russian troops would not be fulfilled at the current time.
Reports say the deal between the Russian government and defense contractor Rheinmetall is worth about 100 million euros. German media have reported the combat simulation center was expected to be involved in training some 30,000 Russian soldiers per year.
The Economy Ministry said in a statement today that the export of the simulator is "not justifiable in the current situation."
Germany says Russia's actions in Crimea violate international law and has joined other European Union countries in imposing sanctions on Moscow. (AP,Reuters, AFP, and dpa)
Germany says it is suspending a military deal with Russia in response to Moscow’s annexation of Ukraine’s Crimea.
The German Economy Ministry said a contract signed in 2011 for the construction of a combat simulation center for Russian troops would not be fulfilled at the current time.
Reports say the deal between the Russian government and defense contractor Rheinmetall is worth about 100 million euros. German media have reported the combat simulation center was expected to be involved in training some 30,000 Russian soldiers per year.
The Economy Ministry said in a statement today that the export of the simulator is "not justifiable in the current situation."
Germany says Russia's actions in Crimea violate international law and has joined other European Union countries in imposing sanctions on Moscow. (AP,Reuters, AFP, and dpa)
18:49
19.3.2014
It looks like the economic fallout of the situation in Ukraine could already be taking its toll:
Anglo-Dutch energy major Shell has announced it is withdrawing from a deal with Ukraine to develop an offshore gas field in the Black Sea, off the coast of Crimea.
Shell said in a statement today that it had terminated negotiations in January for developing the Skifska field.
The statement cited delays in signing a Production Sharing Agreement with Ukrainian authorities under the government of now-ousted President Viktor Yanukovych.
Shell said it still expected to fulfill deals for other projects in Ukraine.
Skifska is estimated to have some 200 to 250 billion cubic meters of gas.
Under Yanukovych, Ukraine selected Shell and ExxonMobil to develop the Skifska site in a move many saw as an attempt by Kyiv to wean Ukraine from its dependence on Russian energy imports. (AFP, Reuters)
Anglo-Dutch energy major Shell has announced it is withdrawing from a deal with Ukraine to develop an offshore gas field in the Black Sea, off the coast of Crimea.
Shell said in a statement today that it had terminated negotiations in January for developing the Skifska field.
The statement cited delays in signing a Production Sharing Agreement with Ukrainian authorities under the government of now-ousted President Viktor Yanukovych.
Shell said it still expected to fulfill deals for other projects in Ukraine.
Skifska is estimated to have some 200 to 250 billion cubic meters of gas.
Under Yanukovych, Ukraine selected Shell and ExxonMobil to develop the Skifska site in a move many saw as an attempt by Kyiv to wean Ukraine from its dependence on Russian energy imports. (AFP, Reuters)
16:30
19.3.2014
Here are some more details about Yulia Tymoshenko leaving hospital:
The formerly jailed Ukrainian political figure Yulia Tymoshenko has been released from a German hospital and is expected to return to Ukraine.
The Charite clinic in Berlin said in a statement today that, during her 12-day stay, Tymoshenko received two injections in her spinal column as part of treatment for three slipped discs.
It said the injections "drastically reduced" her pain and improved function in her right leg.
The statement added that the 53-year-old former prime minister has also undergone "intensive" physiotherapy.
Tymoshenko was freed from prison in Ukraine on February 23 after President Viktor Yanukovych, her political rival, fled Kyiv in the face of antigovernment protests.
She had spent 2 1/2 years in detention on a conviction for abuse of power.
Critics said the prosecution was politically motivated. (AP, dpa)
The Charite clinic in Berlin said in a statement today that, during her 12-day stay, Tymoshenko received two injections in her spinal column as part of treatment for three slipped discs.
It said the injections "drastically reduced" her pain and improved function in her right leg.
The statement added that the 53-year-old former prime minister has also undergone "intensive" physiotherapy.
Tymoshenko was freed from prison in Ukraine on February 23 after President Viktor Yanukovych, her political rival, fled Kyiv in the face of antigovernment protests.
She had spent 2 1/2 years in detention on a conviction for abuse of power.
Critics said the prosecution was politically motivated. (AP, dpa)
16:22
19.3.2014
This just in from the Russian wires:
Russia's Federal Migration Service says it has begun issuing Russian passports in Crimea.
Service chief Konstantin Romodanovsky told Russian media today that "work has started."
"We have issued some passports today." Romodanovsky said. "All Crimean residents who applied to the Federal Migration Service will get passports, because starting yesterday they are Russian citizens."
Romodanovsky also said that there are growing signs of what he called "a humanitarian catastrophe in Ukraine."
He did not elaborate, but added that "the number of elderly and children entering Russia has doubled" since early March. (Interfax, ITAR-TASS)
Service chief Konstantin Romodanovsky told Russian media today that "work has started."
"We have issued some passports today." Romodanovsky said. "All Crimean residents who applied to the Federal Migration Service will get passports, because starting yesterday they are Russian citizens."
Romodanovsky also said that there are growing signs of what he called "a humanitarian catastrophe in Ukraine."
He did not elaborate, but added that "the number of elderly and children entering Russia has doubled" since early March. (Interfax, ITAR-TASS)
16:01
19.3.2014
Protesters gather at Kyiv prosecutor's office to demand investigation into attack on news chief by Svoboda lawmakers http://t.co/OMrPoCRGmB
— KyivPost (@KyivPost) March 19, 2014