13:40
3.4.2014
The Kremlin may not be happy with all the "Crimean Anschluss" talk.
14:36
3.4.2014
14:50
3.4.2014
From the wires, via our news desk:
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says that "huge amounts of evidence" contradict the statement by Ukrainian authorities that snipers loyal to ousted President Viktor Yanukovych opened fire on antigovernment protesters in Kyiv in February.
15:00
3.4.2014
Russia’s deputy foreign minister accused the U.S. of having "childish tantrums” in response to the annexation of Crimea and joked Thursday that Americans should “practice yoga” and watch sitcoms in order to help them chill out.
15:09
3.4.2014
In his latest strong words for Moscow, NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen has said Russia's allegations that NATO has violated agreements are just "propaganda" and "disinformation."
15:21
3.4.2014
Lavrov told reporters in Moscow today in connection with the Ukrainian probe that concluded snipers loyal to Yanukovych opened fire on demonstrators in February that "the truth about snipers has to be established in a transparent way." Russia has previously suggested that Ukrainian ultranationalists were responsible for the firing that erupted as part of an alleged effort to spark chaos. Ukrainian security officials said earlier today that the killings of protesters in Kyiv occurred "under the direct leadership" of Yanukovych, and accused Russian security services of involvement in the repression.
15:26
3.4.2014
More quotes from Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov at his news conference in Kyiv today, when he announced the conclusions concerning the Euromaidan demonstrators' shooting deaths:
"The former leadership of the interior ministry and the special services -- the Berkut -- did everything to make an investigation impossible. They burnt clothes, threw away weapons, destroyed all documents."
"According to the weapons expert, eight people were killed by one of the guns. It means that it was a targeted shooting by one of these employees [of Berkut]."
"The former leadership of the interior ministry and the special services -- the Berkut -- did everything to make an investigation impossible. They burnt clothes, threw away weapons, destroyed all documents."
"According to the weapons expert, eight people were killed by one of the guns. It means that it was a targeted shooting by one of these employees [of Berkut]."
15:33
3.4.2014
RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service reports that "14 of 15 members of the Election Commission" rejected the presidential candidacy of "Darth Vader" for the Internet Party of Ukraine.
It is not the first time Luke Skywalker's father has tried to Force himself onto the political stage, as you may recall.
It is not the first time Luke Skywalker's father has tried to Force himself onto the political stage, as you may recall.
15:48
3.4.2014
Russia has recalled its top military envoy to NATO for consultations in Moscow following moves by the alliance in response to Russia's annexation of Ukraine's Crimea.
15:49
3.4.2014
NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen speaking today next to Estonian Prime Minister Taavi Roivas in Brussels.
On comments by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov that according to the Rome Declaration no country has the right to deploy additional troops or forces in eastern Europe:
"We haven't violated the Rome Declaration. And I am actually surprised that Russia can claim that NATO has violated its commitments because Russia is violating every principle and international commitment it has made."
On whether he has received questions from Moscow about NATO's activities in eastern Europe:
"This is just another piece of Russian propaganda and disinformation. It's based on a baseless interpretation of the NATO-Russia Founding Act, which we agreed with Russia in 1997...."
"In the founding act, NATO promised to carry out our collective defense through reinforcement rather than additional permanent stationing of substantive combat forces and that's exactly what we are doing. In the same document Russia pledged to respect territorial integrity, sovereignty, and political independence of other states and refrain from the threat or use of force."
On comments by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov that according to the Rome Declaration no country has the right to deploy additional troops or forces in eastern Europe:
"We haven't violated the Rome Declaration. And I am actually surprised that Russia can claim that NATO has violated its commitments because Russia is violating every principle and international commitment it has made."
On whether he has received questions from Moscow about NATO's activities in eastern Europe:
"This is just another piece of Russian propaganda and disinformation. It's based on a baseless interpretation of the NATO-Russia Founding Act, which we agreed with Russia in 1997...."
"In the founding act, NATO promised to carry out our collective defense through reinforcement rather than additional permanent stationing of substantive combat forces and that's exactly what we are doing. In the same document Russia pledged to respect territorial integrity, sovereignty, and political independence of other states and refrain from the threat or use of force."