10:35
29.3.2014
Kharkiv separatist Ignat Kromsky arrested for inviting Russian troops to invade http://t.co/2tExAfVcW3
— Leonid Ragozin (@leonidragozin) March 29, 2014
10:37
29.3.2014
From RFE/RL's News Desk:
Agencies reporting that Vitaly Klitschko has announced that he will not run for the presidency
Agencies reporting that Vitaly Klitschko has announced that he will not run for the presidency
10:43
29.3.2014
More on Klitschko's announcement from Reuters. Looks like he and Petro Poroshenko cut a deal.
KIEV, March 29 (Reuters) - Ukrainian boxer-turned-politician Vitaly Klitschko pulled out of the race for president on Saturday, throwing his weight instead behind billionaire confectionary oligarch Petro Poroshenko.
Klitschko's withdrawal, and an announcement by Poroshenko late on Friday that he would stand in the May 25 election, sets up a battle between the man known as the 'Chocolate King' and Ukraine's fiery former prime minister, Yulia Tymoshenko.
"The only chance of winning is to nominate one candidate from the democratic forces," Klitschko told a meeting of his UDAR (Punch) party, saying he backed Poroshenko.
Klitschko's withdrawal, and an announcement by Poroshenko late on Friday that he would stand in the May 25 election, sets up a battle between the man known as the 'Chocolate King' and Ukraine's fiery former prime minister, Yulia Tymoshenko.
"The only chance of winning is to nominate one candidate from the democratic forces," Klitschko told a meeting of his UDAR (Punch) party, saying he backed Poroshenko.
10:45
29.3.2014
.@Poroshenko at @udarKlichko congress: The 1st time in Ukraine's history top two presidential front-runners join their forces
— Maxim Eristavi (@MaximEristavi) March 29, 2014
10:47
29.3.2014
#ukraine klitschko says will run for kiev mayor not for president. Against lesya orobets? Good luck with that, klitsh!
— Gulliver Cragg (@gullivercragg) March 29, 2014
10:48
29.3.2014
With @Vitaliy_Klychko is out of the race, @Poroshenko becomes the front-runner with 20% ahead of Tymoshenko in polls pic.twitter.com/0B17kc3WqP
— Maxim Eristavi (@MaximEristavi) March 29, 2014
10:48
29.3.2014
Klitschko says that "the election of the President must unite the society and not become another war of all... http://t.co/PAmPHN5eKD
— MaidanOnline (@MaidanOnline) March 29, 2014
10:49
29.3.2014
So Klitchko dodges a fight with Yulia. For now, I guess. Good boxing is about strategy.
— Leonid Ragozin (@leonidragozin) March 29, 2014
10:54
29.3.2014
Majority of Americans support sanctions against Russia, but oppose military aid to Ukraine. Via Reuters:
A CBS News poll taken in recent days said 56 percent of Americans approve of sanctions enacted thus far by the United States and European nations, but 65 percent do not think the U.S. should provide military aid and weapons to Ukraine.
In addition, 57 percent said the United States does not have a responsibility to do something about Ukraine.
Obama himself said he could understand why people "might decide to look the other way," but that the "international order" must be protected.
In addition, 57 percent said the United States does not have a responsibility to do something about Ukraine.
Obama himself said he could understand why people "might decide to look the other way," but that the "international order" must be protected.
10:57
29.3.2014
Lavrov claiming the U.S. and EU no longer opposes Russia's proposal to "federalize" Ukraine. Would like to hear some Western officials weigh in on this.
Via Interfax:
Via Interfax:
MOSCOW. March 29 (Interfax) - The West is no longer dismissing Russia's arguments that Ukraine should become a federation through a constitutional reform, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
"I can say that 'federation' is no longer a taboo word in our negotiations. I am sure we should insist on this not just because we want this but because this is a demand by the southern and eastern
regions [of Ukraine]," Lavrov said in an interview shown in an analytical program hosted by Sergei Brilyov on Rossiya-1 TV channel on Saturday
"I can say that 'federation' is no longer a taboo word in our negotiations. I am sure we should insist on this not just because we want this but because this is a demand by the southern and eastern
regions [of Ukraine]," Lavrov said in an interview shown in an analytical program hosted by Sergei Brilyov on Rossiya-1 TV channel on Saturday