15:09
20.3.2014
RFE/RL's Kazakh Service reports that Ukraine's Foreign Ministry has summoned Kazakhstan's ambassador to explain the government in Astana's statement of support for Russia's internationally unrecognized annexation of Crimea. According to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry's website, Deputy Foreign Minister Natalya Halibarenko met with Kazakh Ambassador Zautbek Turisbekov on March 19. Halibarenko reportedly expressed Ukraine's deep concern over statements from Kazakh authorities about Russia's annexation of Crimea being "understandable" and describing the March 16 referendum in Crimea to secede from Ukraine and join Russia as being an expression of the "free will of the people." Halibarenko also said such statements contradict comments from top officials in Kazakhstan about the necessity to respect Ukraine's territorial integrity. Kazakh Foreign Ministry press secretary Nurzhan Aytmakhanov told RFE/RL's Kazakh Service, "Our position is published on the ministry's website. There's nothing more to say."
The Kazakh president's office reiterates its position here.
The Kazakh president's office reiterates its position here.
15:03
20.3.2014
Out of tune
A little video of Russia's Duma deputies singing the national anthem after voting to take Crimea: https://t.co/6xPOrqGGZ1 (via @NickValuev)
— Paul Sonne (@PaulSonne) March 20, 2014
14:58
20.3.2014
Hate crimes skyrocketing in Russia, blamed mostly on Putin's push to boost Russian pride.
Xenophobia in Russia at an All-Time High, Experts Say. http://t.co/1j59UCUE9l
— uacrisis (@uacrisis) March 20, 2014
14:56
20.3.2014
The Brueghel think tank has published a nice infographic on the possible cost of sanctions against Russia.
14:52
20.3.2014
Speaking at a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says he’s "deeply concerned" about the crisis over Russia's seizure of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula.
Ban is due to meet with Ukrainian leaders in Kyiv on March 21.
The UN has said Ban hopes to persuade the Russian and Ukrainian sides to start a direct dialogue to ensure a political solution. The world body also says a 34-member UN human rights monitoring mission is expected to deploy in eastern Ukraine by March 21 to check for abuses.
Ban is due to meet with Ukrainian leaders in Kyiv on March 21.
The UN has said Ban hopes to persuade the Russian and Ukrainian sides to start a direct dialogue to ensure a political solution. The world body also says a 34-member UN human rights monitoring mission is expected to deploy in eastern Ukraine by March 21 to check for abuses.
14:44
20.3.2014
Growing anti-US sentiment in Russia, according to the independent Levada polling center.
Russians who see US negatively, via @levada_ru: March 2012: 35% March 2013: 39% January 2014: 44% March 2014: 56% http://t.co/L35JLJ2UX0
— Kirit Radia (@KiritRadia) March 20, 2014
14:35
20.3.2014
French President Francois Hollande says the planned European Union-Russia summit in June will be canceled because of Russia's seizure of Ukraine's Crimea. Hollande was speaking on his arrival for an EU summit in Brussels.
14:34
20.3.2014
Ukrainian serviceman Sergiy Kokurin, shot dead by pro-Russian forces during the March 18 raid on a Ukrainian navy base in Simferopol.
Сергій Кокурін,якого вбили снайпери під час штурму в/ч в Сімферополі.Допоможемо родині.Приватбанк 5168 7553 6238 9468 pic.twitter.com/aww7vcvdij
— Oksana Kovalenko (@superumka) March 20, 2014
14:32
20.3.2014
Some more news from the wires:
France is delaying a decision on whether to suspend the sale of two advanced warships to Russia in response to the annexation of Ukraine's Crimea.
French Defense Ministry Jean-Yves Le Drian said on March 20 that a decision on a possible suspension of the 1.2 billion euro ($1.4 billion) contract need not be made before October when the first ship is due to be delivered.
Le Drian also said that a suspension of the contract could only happen as part of a larger package of EU economic sanctions against Russia.
France's decision in 2011 to sell the two Mistral-class helicopter-carriers to Russia triggered protests from its NATO allies.
On March 20, Russia warned that it would demand compensation if the deal was scrapped.
Russian officials also said France's image as a reliable arms supplier will be damaged. (AFP, Reuters)
French Defense Ministry Jean-Yves Le Drian said on March 20 that a decision on a possible suspension of the 1.2 billion euro ($1.4 billion) contract need not be made before October when the first ship is due to be delivered.
Le Drian also said that a suspension of the contract could only happen as part of a larger package of EU economic sanctions against Russia.
France's decision in 2011 to sell the two Mistral-class helicopter-carriers to Russia triggered protests from its NATO allies.
On March 20, Russia warned that it would demand compensation if the deal was scrapped.
Russian officials also said France's image as a reliable arms supplier will be damaged. (AFP, Reuters)
14:24
20.3.2014
Don't want to share a hotel with Russian tourists? Two Ukrainians have set up this website to check hotels for Russian presence. One of the site's creators says "all those who have even once stayed in a hotel with many Russians know why we are launching this useful service."