10:59
20.3.2014
With Russia's annexation of Crimea, many eyes are now on Transdniester:
The Russian government is expected to discuss the situation in Moldova's breakaway region of Transdniester today.
Transdniester's leader, Yevgeny Shevchuk, meanwhile, has arrived in Moscow for consultations.
Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Dmitri Rogozin said two days ago that ministers will discuss Transdniester's "economic isolation," which he said would deepen if Moldova signs an association and free-trade deal with the EU as expected in September.
Rogozin complained that Ukraine was blocking supplies from reaching Russian troops in Transdniester.
The mainly Russian-speaking Transdniester broke away in 1990 over fears Moldova would reunite with neighboring Romania.
Some 1,400 Russian troops are stationed in the region.
Moldova's President Nicolae Timofti has warned Russia against any move to annex Transdniester in the same way it took control of Ukraine's Crimea. (Interfax, RIA Novosti)
The Russian government is expected to discuss the situation in Moldova's breakaway region of Transdniester today.
Transdniester's leader, Yevgeny Shevchuk, meanwhile, has arrived in Moscow for consultations.
Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Dmitri Rogozin said two days ago that ministers will discuss Transdniester's "economic isolation," which he said would deepen if Moldova signs an association and free-trade deal with the EU as expected in September.
Rogozin complained that Ukraine was blocking supplies from reaching Russian troops in Transdniester.
The mainly Russian-speaking Transdniester broke away in 1990 over fears Moldova would reunite with neighboring Romania.
Some 1,400 Russian troops are stationed in the region.
Moldova's President Nicolae Timofti has warned Russia against any move to annex Transdniester in the same way it took control of Ukraine's Crimea. (Interfax, RIA Novosti)
11:06
20.3.2014
Ukrainians overwhelmingly back introduction of visa regime with Russia in "Ukraiynska Pravda" poll.
Дякуємо всім за відповіді.про візи! більшість читачів висловились за візи. лише кілька людей були проти, але за вїзд по закордон паспортах
— Українська правда (@ukrpravda_news) March 20, 2014
11:19
20.3.2014
Patriarch Filaret, the leader of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church's Kyivan Patriarchate, says Putin has used "the methods of the devil" and violated three Commandments.
Патріарх Філарает: Путін використав засіб диявола http://t.co/KiSafEpAe1
— Українська правда (@ukrpravda_news) March 20, 2014
11:24
20.3.2014
Crimea-themed matryoshka dolls!
Brilliant. Russian Matryoshka dolls decked out as "unidentified self defense forces" in #Crimea pic.twitter.com/isdK6JNwNu h/t @astroehlein
— Lucy Kafanov (@LucyKafanov) March 20, 2014
11:36
20.3.2014
RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service reports that the US National Geographic Society will now shade Crimea in grey on its maps to indicate an "area of special status."
This contradicts previous reports that it would alter its maps to include Crimea in the Russian Federation.
This contradicts previous reports that it would alter its maps to include Crimea in the Russian Federation.
Крим зафарбують сірим на американських картах http://t.co/GImXq7pVu9
— Радіо Свобода (@radiosvoboda) March 20, 2014
11:39
20.3.2014
According to RFE/RL's newsdesk, reports from Crimea say that Ukraine's navy chief Admiral Serhiy Haiduk who was arrested yesterday, has been released along with seven other detainees.
11:43
20.3.2014
Here's a video of U.S. President Barack Obama ruling out a military intervention in Ukraine:
11:55
20.3.2014
Putin has signed a decree allowing Ukrainian officers who wish to serve in the Russian army to retain their military ranks. According to Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, there's a "large number" of hopefuls.
Желающие служить в России украинские офицеры сохранят воинские звания http://t.co/QlVh6gihbj
— Новости ДОЖДЯ (@tvrain_live) March 20, 2014
11:56
20.3.2014
Not long after he had an op-ed on the Crimea situation published in "The New York Times," Russian opposition figure Aleksei Navalny now finds himself accused of dealings with the CIA. This is from RFE/RL's newsdesk:
A pro-Kremlin television station has broadcast a report that accuses Russian opposition figure Aleksei Navalny of having contacts with the CIA and accepting foreign money.
The report -- which showed alleged recorded phone calls and covertly filmed hotel meetings -- was broadcast yesterdat by NTV, which is owned by gas giant Gazprom.
The program accused Navalny of trying to get money from European Parliament members and of meeting with CIA agents.
Navalny is under house arrest for taking part in an unsanctioned rally.
A pro-Kremlin television station has broadcast a report that accuses Russian opposition figure Aleksei Navalny of having contacts with the CIA and accepting foreign money.
The report -- which showed alleged recorded phone calls and covertly filmed hotel meetings -- was broadcast yesterdat by NTV, which is owned by gas giant Gazprom.
The program accused Navalny of trying to get money from European Parliament members and of meeting with CIA agents.
Navalny is under house arrest for taking part in an unsanctioned rally.
12:22
20.3.2014
Authorities in Lviv say between 15 and 20 Crimeans seek refuge in the Lviv region every day. More than 800 have already relocated there, some of them Russians who oppose Crimea's annexation.
RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service interviewed Crimean Tatar Sevil Koneeva, a mother of two who fled to Lviv last week.
It's hard to live in Crimea as a Tatar because other Crimeans don't understand you. I've found this understanding here.
RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service interviewed Crimean Tatar Sevil Koneeva, a mother of two who fled to Lviv last week.
It's hard to live in Crimea as a Tatar because other Crimeans don't understand you. I've found this understanding here.