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Diplomacy key to avoiding escalation in Ukraine - Steinmeier
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Russia's military activities on Ukrainian soil are unacceptable but international diplomacy must prevail to solve the crisis, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said on Monday.
"Crisis diplomacy is not a weakness but it will be more important than ever to not fall into the abyss of military escalation," Steinmeier told reporters ahead of an extraordinary meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels.
Steinmeier suggested an fact-finding mission by the OSCE, Europe's main human rights and democracy watchdog, as an initial response. "We are considering whether it wouldn't make good sense to create transparency about what is happening on the ground in eastern Ukraine and Crimea instead of being dependent on rumours," he said.
(Reporting by Robert-Jan Bartunek; editing by Robin Emmott) -
Ukraine launches treason case against navy chief who surrendered his HQ and pledged allegiance to Crimea's pro-Russian authorities. Paul Chapman reports
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Military personnel, believed to be Russian servicemen, stand guard outside the territory of a Ukrainian military unit in the village of Perevalnoye outside Simferopol March 3, 2014. REUTERS/David Mdzinarishvili
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Britain says concerned Russia may move further into Ukraine
LONDON (Reuters) - Britain said it was very concerned about the possibility that the Kremlin might send troops further into Ukraine and cautioned President Vladimir Putin that Russia would pay significant costs unless he changed course.
British Foreign Secretary William Hague said the Russian intervention in Ukraine was the biggest crisis in Europe so far this century.
Hague said that Russia now had operational control of Ukraine's Crimea region and that while Russia had the legal right to base troops in the region, the Kremlin should order them to return to their barracks.
"Clearly we are very concerned about any possibly of a further move by Russia in other parts of Ukraine but that does not mean the position in the Crimea is stable," Hague told the BBC in an interview.
"This is a very tense situation and dangerous situation that Russia's intervention has now produced." -
Russia says U.S. "sabotages" WTO talks by barring its officials
MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia said on Monday that the United States abruptly withdrew an invitation for Russian veterinary officials to attend talks this week and accused Washington of "sabotage", an apparent sign of tension over Ukraine.
Russia's veterinary oversight agency, Rosselkhoznadzor, was informed less than 24 hours before its delegation was to depart for Washington that the visit was "unacceptable" for the United States, Rosselkhoznadzor said.
In a statement, it accused the United States of "sabotage of Russia's participation" in March 3-6 talks aimed at agreeing veterinary and phytosanitary measures in connection with Kazakhstan's bid to join the World Trade Organisation. -
This is all about oil and Russia's pipelines. Putin wants to invade, then later make it impossible for Exxon and others to execute oil drilling deals that would make Ukraine energy independent by 2020, thus allowing them to charge Russia fair transportation rates. Invading Ukraine helps Russia keep Ukraine a slave state. That's what it's been for past 22 years. If EU deal signed, new investment would occur allowing vast new wealth to occur in Ukraine and west that has been untapped for past 22 years. Russia also wants to stop that as it would undermine its long range goals for Ukraine. -
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G7 condemns Russia Ukraine move, halts G8 prep: White House
WASHINGTON, March 2 (Reuters) - The Group of Seven major industrialized nations on Sunday condemned Russia's intrusion into Ukraine and canceled for now preparations for the G8 summit that includes Russia and had been scheduled to take place in Sochi in June, the White House said.
"We, the leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States and the President of the European Council and President of the European Commission, join together today to condemn the Russian Federation’s clear violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine," the G7 said in a statement.
"We have decided for the time being to suspend our participation in activities associated with the preparation of the scheduled G8 Summit in Sochi in June," the group said.
The G7 urged Russia to hold talks with Ukraine directly or with international participation to address any human rights or security concerns it has.
The group further expressed support for Ukraine's bid to secure financial help from the International Monetary Fund and to make reforms to its economy.
(Reporting by Mark Felsenthal; Editing by Peter Cooney) -
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Full White House statement on Obama's phone calls with Britain Prime Minister David Cameron, Polish President Bronisław Komorowski and German Chancellor Angela Merkel
President Obama spoke separately this afternoon with Prime Minister Cameron of the United Kingdom, President Komorowski of Poland, and Chancellor Merkel of Germany. The leaders expressed their grave concern over Russia’s clear violation of Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity, which is a breach of international law and a threat to international peace and security. The leaders stressed that dialogue between Ukraine and Russia should start immediately, with international facilitation as appropriate.
The leaders affirmed the importance of unity within the international community in support of international law and their support for the Government of Ukraine, including its territorial integrity and its efforts to move forward with elections in May so that the Ukrainian people can continue to determine their own future in this historic hour. The leaders also pledged to work together on a package of multilateral and bilateral financial assistance to help Ukraine as it pursues urgently needed reforms to stabilize its economy. The leaders agreed to continue to coordinate closely, including bilaterally, and through appropriate international organizations.
The President reaffirmed the United States’ longstanding and continuing commitment to security and democracy in Eastern Europe. -
By Leonid Ragozin, a freelance journalist based in Moscow
First of all, the U.S. and its allies should make a real show of force: They need to back Ukraine with all their military and economic might ... But at the same time, they should encourage new Ukrainian leaders to turn their country, where at least half of the people speak Russian in everyday life, into a role model for people in Russia proper.
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A man holds a sign during a protest march in support of peace in Ukraine in Times Square in New York, March 2, 2014. The United States brandished the threat of economic sanctions on Russia on Sunday, with Secretary of State John Kerry calling Moscow's moves on Ukraine an "incredible act of aggression." REUTERS/Carlo Allegri
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Cossacks, Berkut and other armed men dig in for Crimea stay
ReutersCHONGAR, Ukraine (Reuters) - Cossack militia from Russia, disbanded Ukrainian riot police and other unidentified armed men stood guard on Sunday at a token border post on one of the two land links between -
Britain warns Russia of 'significant costs' over Ukraine
LONDON, March 2 (Reuters) - British Prime Minister David Cameron warned President Vladimir Putin on Sunday that Russia would pay significant costs unless the Kremlin changed course on Ukraine.
Cameron said he had agreed with U.S. President Barack Obama that Russia's actions in Ukraine were completely unacceptable, a Downing Street spokesman said.
"They agreed that Russia's actions were completely unacceptable. They agreed on the urgent need for de-escalation and for Russia to engage in a dialogue directly with Ukraine," the spokesman said.
"They agreed there must be 'significant costs' to Russia if it did not change course on Ukraine," the spokesman said. -
Good question.
The U.S.'s Putin Dilemma: Talk Tough And Then What?
The New YorkerThe danger is that heightened U.S. rhetoric, and avocations of a Cold War-style standoff, will have the opposite of the intended effect. -
Loyal to Ukraine, Tatars lie low as Russia seizes Crimea
By Alissa de Carbonnel
BAKHCHISARAY, Ukraine, March 2 (Reuters) - Only five days ago, Tatars of Ukraine’s Crimea came out in their thousands, chanting Allahu Akbar in a show of loyalty to the new authorities in Kiev and opposition to separatist demands by the region’s Russian ethnic majority.
But now, with Moscow’s military forces having unexpectedly seized control, the indigenous Muslim people of the isolated Black Sea peninsula have all but vanished from the public square, keeping their heads down to avoid being sucked into war.
www.reuters.com -
Ukrainian navy chief Denis Berezovsky swears allegiance to the pro-Russian regional leaders of Crimea in Sevastopol March 2, 2014 in this still image taken from video. Ukraine launched a treason case on Sunday against Berezovsky, the head of the navy, who surrendered his headquarters on Sunday in the Crimean port of Sevastopol on only his second day on the job. Berezovsky was shown on Russian television swearing allegiance to the pro-Russian regional leaders of Crimea. Russian forces have seized the Black Sea peninsula and told Ukrainian forces there to give up their weapons. Video shot March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Reuters
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A woman holds a sign during a protest march in support of peace in the Ukraine in Times Square in New York, March 2, 2014. Ukraine mobilized for war on Sunday and Washington threatened to isolate Russia economically, after President Vladimir Putin declared he had the right to invade his neighbor in Moscow's biggest confrontation with the West since the Cold War. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri
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U.S. focus is on economic, political steps on Ukraine, not military
WASHINGTON, March 2 (Reuters) - The United States is focused on economic, diplomatic and political measures to get Russia to reverse its intervention in Ukraine, not on military options, a senior U.S. official told reporters. -
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Competing Ukraine protests in Moscow, WSJ reports.
Muscovites Rally For and Against Russia's Move Into Ukraine
Thousands took to the streets Sunday in central Moscow in a government-backed rally to support military intervention in Ukraine, while hundreds rallied for peace despite a clampdown by police. -
Putin tells Merkel Russia's moves on Ukraine are fitting
MOSCOW, March 2 (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin told German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Sunday that Russian citizens and Russian-speakers in Ukraine faced an "unflagging" threat from ultranationalists, and that the measures Moscow has taken were completely fitting given the "extraordinary situation", the Kremlin said.
In a telephone conversation during which Merkel expressed concern about developments in Ukraine, she and Putin agreed that Russia and Germany would continue consultations in bilateral and multilateral formats to seek the "normalization" of the situation, a Kremlin statement said.
(Writing by Steve Gutterman; Editing by Kevin Liffey) -
China sounds concerned, did not say Russia should leave Crimea.
China Daily: China urges political solution in Ukraine
China has been urging all parties in Ukraine to address their domestic disputes peacefully in accordance with the country's law. -
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People react as cars with Russian and Crimean flags pass by in Simferopol March 2, 2014. Ukraine mobilised for war on Sunday and Washington threatened to isolate Russia economically, after President Vladimir Putin declared he had the right to invade his neighbour, creating Moscow's biggest confrontation with the West since the Cold War. Russian forces have already bloodlessly seized Crimea - an isolated Black Sea peninsula where Moscow has a naval base. On Sunday they surrounded several small Ukrainian military outposts there and demanded the Ukrainian troops disarm. Some refused, leading to standoffs, although no shots were fired. REUTERS/Vasily Fedosenko
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A military personnel member, believed to be a Russian serviceman, stands guard outside the territory of a Ukrainian military unit in the village of Perevalnoye outside Simferopol March 2, 2014. Ukraine mobilised for war on Sunday and Washington threatened to isolate Russia economically, after President Vladimir Putin declared he had the right to invade his neighbour, creating Moscow's biggest confrontation with the West since the Cold War. Russian forces have already bloodlessly seized Crimea - an isolated Black Sea peninsula where Moscow has a naval base. On Sunday they surrounded several small Ukrainian military outposts there and demanded the Ukrainian troops disarm. Some refused, leading to standoffs, although no shots were fired. REUTERS/Vasily Fedosenko
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A Russian Navy choir member gestures during a performance in front of pro-Russian Crimeans in the port city of Sevastopol March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Baz Ratner
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Putin takes on West over Ukraine: Who blinks first?
By Elizabeth Piper
MOSCOW - Russian President Vladimir Putin has taken a gamble on Ukraine and is betting that U.S. President Barack Obama will blink first.
Wounded by a personal political defeat in a battle for influence over Russia's Slavic neighbor, Putin is fighting back, and presenting the crisis as a question of symmetry.
In his view, the West "stood by" and allowed armed men to direct events in the capital Kiev - now he is "standing by" as armed men extended their control over the Crimea region.
The former KGB spy blames the West for stirring passions in Kiev, encouraging an opposition to break agreements to restore peace and allowing what Moscow calls "extremists" and "fascists" to dictate political developments in Ukraine.
Now authorized by parliament to deploy Russia's military in Ukraine to protect national interests and those of Russian citizens, Putin is taking on a West he feels has cut Moscow out of talks on the future of Russia's Orthodox Christian brothers.
How far he will go is the big question.
Click here to read more. -
If you are going to expel Russia from a forum, make it one Putin can actually be bothered to turn up to. He missed Obama's G8 in 2012.by b_judah via twitter 3/2/2014 5:06:56 PM -
By Oxana Shevel, Tufts University political scientist
Several factors make it harder to believe that Russia will be able to establish control and to effectively annex Crimea as it did with South Ossetia, Abkhazia and Transnistria. For one, the Ukrainian side so far has not made any moves that Russia can credibly present as a provocation that necessitates armed response by the Russian side to “protect” its military or its citizens, as was the case in Georgia in 2008. The new Ukrainian government leaders have called for calm, the far right Right Sector said it will not be sending its men to Crimea, and in a conciliatory gesture to Russian-speakers, acting president Turchynov today vetoed the law the Ukrainian parliament adopted several days earlier repealing the 2012 law elevating the status of the Russian language. With the Security Council in session to discuss events in Crimea and Western leaders urging restraint and warning Russia that violations of Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity are unacceptable, there is hope that a diplomatic solution to the crisis could be found.
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Reuters: U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry condemns Russia's “incredible act of aggression” in Ukraine
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Ukrainian people take part in a rally against Russia in front of the U.S. embassy in Kiev March 1, 2014. NATO ambassadors will meet in Brussels on Sunday to discuss the situation in Ukraine, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen tweeted on Saturday. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich
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Eyes on the skies over Crimea
Storyful BlogWith unidentified military units seizing two major airports in Crimea on February 28, residents of the peninsula posted videos of a large-scale helicopter overflight. The implication was that the aircraft involved were Russian and that they were involved in an extraterritorial action not ... -
Reuters Picture: Armed men patrol at the airport in Simferopol, Crimea February 28, 2014. Armed men took control of two airports in the Crimea region on Friday in what the new Ukrainian leadership described as an invasion by Moscow's forces, and ousted President Viktor Yanukovich surfaced in Russia after a week on the run. REUTERS/David Mdzinarishvili
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Ukraine files request for extradition from Russia of ousted President Viktor Yanukovich: Ukrainian prosecutor generalby Reuters World via twitter 2/28/2014 6:17:55 PM -
Conciliatory words hide Putin's anger over Ukraine
At almost midnight and with little fanfare, the Kremlin put out a statement outlining President Vladimir Putin's orders on Ukraine - and they were as conciliatory as earlier Russian announcements had been confrontational.
Ordering his government to work with Ukrainian and foreign partners to find a financial package to shore up Ukraine's collapsing finances, Putin struck a measured note compared to the military muscle-flexing of other officials, who had put thousands of Russian troops on high alert.
Click here to read more -
EU team to visit Ukraine to examine financial needs
A small team of financial experts from the European Commission will travel to Ukraine on Monday to assess exactly how much financial assistance it needs, EU officials said on Friday.
The team from the Commission's directorate-general for economic and financial affairs is expected to meet Ukrainian finance ministry and central bank officials to determine what the country's budget shortfall and capital needs are.
"The first thing we need to do is to understand precisely how much they need," said a senior official briefed on the visit. "There are a lot of numbers being thrown around and it isn't helping to clarify the situation."
Click here to read more -
Ukrainian International Airline says it has cancelled flights to Crimea because "airspace is closed"
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Airport in Ukraine's Crimea refusing Kiev flights: Interfax
MOSCOW - The international airport in Simferopol, the main city in Ukraine's Crimea region, is not allowing flights from the national capital Kiev following the airport's takeover by armed men, Interfax news agency reported on Friday.
The report could not immediately be confirmed. Contacted by telephone, an airport information official said only one flight from Kiev had been delayed but other flights had been coming and going from Simferopol without any problems.
(Reporting By Natalia Zinets, Writing by Sabina Zawadzki, Editing by Timothy Heritage) -
Reuters Picture: Petro Poroshenko (C), member of Ukraine's parliament and one of the leaders of the anti-Yanukovich opposition, speaks to the media upon his arrival at the airport in Simferopol, Crimea February 28, 2014. Armed men have extended their control at a military airport in Ukraine's Crimea region on Friday by taking over the runway, Interfax news agency quoted a military source as saying. Interior Minister Arsen Avakov accused Russian naval forces of taking over the military airport, near the port of Sevastopol, where the Black Sea fleet has a base, and other Russian forces of seizing Simferopol's civilian international airport. REUTERS/David Mdzinarishvili
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Armed men patrol at the Simferopol airport in the Crimea region February 28, 2014. REUTERS/Baz Ratner
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U.S. ends exchange programs with China, calling them 'propaganda'
WASHINGTON The U.S. State Department said on Friday it has ended five cultural exchange programs with China, calling them "soft power propaganda tools."
