Ukraine current situation summary
•
Russian forces in Crimea urged Ukrainian forces
to give up their weapons and stand down, as the number of Russian troops and
boats on the peninsula continued to grow. Russia built up forces on both sides
of the ferry connecting it to Crimea and sent troops across.
•
“The facts on the ground in Crimea are deeply
troubling,” US president Barack Obama said. “Russia is on the wrong side of
history.”
•
The Ukrainian ambassador to the UN said 16,000
Russian troops have arrived in Crimea since 26 February. The Russian ambassador
retorted that treaties allow 25,000. The Ukrainian envoy argued that the legal
cap was 11,000.
•
In a feisty meeting at the UN, the Russian
ambassador said that Moscow does not consider it its responsibility to return
deposed president Viktor Yanukovich to power.
•
Pro-Russia demonstrators surrounded government
buildings in at least three Ukrainian cities, hoisting Russian flags and
chanting against the government in Kiev.
•
Markets took a dive, with Russia’s main stock
index down almost 13% and the rouble off by 3% despite central bank efforts to
shore it up. The Russian central bank hiked interest rates and said they may go
higher.
•
The European Union called an emergency meeting
for Thursday to discuss sanctions on Russia or Russian officials, visa
restrictions and other measures, if there is not “a very quick deescalation.”
The US also prepared sanctions legislation.
•
US secretary of state John Kerry announced
continued preparations to meet with Ukrainian government leaders in Kiev on
Tuesday.
Comments
Post a Comment