http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2014-04-30/putin-us-behind-ukraine-crisis-beginningnow-leading-it
Submitted by Tyler Durden on 04/30/2014 13:41 -0400
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2014-04-30/imf-approves-loan-pay-ukraines-gazprom-bill
Submitted by Tyler Durden on 04/30/2014 17:13 -0400
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2014-04-30/meanwhile-gazprom-sends-ukraine-new-invoice
Submitted by Tyler Durden on 04/30/2014 09:34 -0400
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2014-04-30/presenting-russian-east-ukraine-these-are-cities-controlled-separatists
Submitted by Tyler Durden on 04/30/2014 12:11 -0400
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2014-04-30/peoples-republic-donetsk-unveils-independence-referendum-set-may-11th
Submitted by Tyler Durden on 04/30/2014 12:50 -0400
Russia Today ......
Putin: 'US Behind Ukraine Crisis From The Beginning...Now Leading It'
Having decided counter-sanctions are useless for now, reflecting on the uselessness of Western sanctions against his nation, Vladimir Putin warned, however, that if they continue he would "have to think about who is working in the key sectors of the Russian economy" - in other words, protectionism is coming. However, it is his ominous words regarding Washington's involvement in the crisis that appear to have fallen on deaf ears among the mainstream media... though will be no surprise to ZH readers "what is happening now shows us who really was mastering the process from the beginning. But in the beginning, the United States preferred to remain in the shadow." As Seregy Lavrov also added later in the day, the way the situation in Ukraine is reported in mainstream media indicates that "unfortunately, the information machine of our Western colleagues is working at full capacity."
The US has been behind the Ukrainian crisis from the beginning, but was initially flying low, Russian President Vladimir Putin has told journalists, adding that he called on Kiev to establish an all-Ukrainian dialogue and find a compromise.“I think what is happening now shows us who really was mastering the process from the beginning. But in the beginning, the United States preferred to remain in the shadow,” Putin said, as quoted by RIA Novosti.Putin stated that since the US has taken a lead role in resolving the political crisis in Ukraine, it is “telling that they originally were behind this process, but now they just have emerged as leaders” of it.The "Maidan cookies" policy paves the way to a broader crisis, Putin warned, referring to US officials showing up in central Kiev and encouraging protesters during demonstrations.“It is necessary to understand that the situation is serious and try to find serious approaches to the solution,” he said.Putin said that he has called on Kiev to start an all-Ukrainian dialogue, adding that other countries should not be blamed for the crisis.“[They should] treat equally the rights of those living in other areas of Ukraine, first of all, I mean, the east and southeast, establish a dialogue, find a compromise," he told journalists while speaking about the measures necessary to put an end to the crisis. “Here's what you need to do; searching for the guilty outside Ukraine is wrong.”
More "costs" as the West tries to wriggle its way from the under the pile it has created and scapegoat an unwilling to play Russia...?
But perhaps Sergey Lavrov said it perfectly...
Washington's approach to the events in Ukraine is not fueled by concerns about the fate of the crisis-torn state, but rather by the desire to prove it is still running the show worldwide, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said.The way the situation in Ukraine is reported in mainstream media indicates that “unfortunately, the information machine of our Western colleagues is working at full capacity,”Lavrov said following talks with his Chilean counterpart, Heraldo Munoz, in Santiago.The US is trying to shape public opinion in a specific manner “because they are not concerned by the fate of Ukraine in the first place, but have strong desire to prove that it’s them who decides how things should be – always and everywhere,” Lavrov stated.
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2014-04-30/imf-approves-loan-pay-ukraines-gazprom-bill
IMF Approves Loan (To Pay Ukraine's Gazprom Bill): Putin 1 - 0 IMF
After 'billing' Ukraine this morning, Gazprom must be jubilant this evening as news exudes from Washington that...
- *IMF APPROVES UKRAINE LOAN OF $17 BLN OVER TWO YEARS
- *UKRAINE EXPECTS FIRST TRANCHE OF IMF AID MAY 5-MAY 8: FIN MIN
But,
- *IMF SAYS IMMEDIATE UKRAINE LOAN DISBURSEMENT TO BE $3.2 BLN
So that won't even cover the $3.49bn they already owe to Gazprom? (In fact, $2.2bn is approved for dissemination to Gazprom)
Remember we were already told by Ukraine that:
- *UKRAINE ENERGY MIN DOESN'T AGREE WITH GAZPROM'S LATEST BILL
- *UKRAINE ENERGY MIN SAYS CAN'T PAY PRICE GAZPROM IS PROPOSING
So - which is it? Won't Pay or Can't Pay?
As Bloomberg reports,
The government plans to use $2 billion from the first disbursement to support the budget as it seeks to trim the fiscal gap to 8.5 percent of gross domestic product this year and 6.1 percent in 2015, according to the document. The shortfall includes subsidies to state-run energy company NAK Naftogaz Ukrainy.Part of the IMF money will help Ukraine settle $2.2 billion in back payments to Russian state-controlled OAO Gazprom for natural gas and pay for future imports. Gazprom said it will ask Ukraine to pay $485 per 1,000 cubic meters in the second quarter, more than the European market price....After twice freezing loans to Ukraine since 2008, the fund is banking on the interim government’s resolve to tackle unpopular measures such as the phasing out of natural-gas subsidies.The fund approval clears the way for additional aid from the European Union and the U.S. just as they widen sanctions against Russia for its actions in Ukraine....“The authorities’ economic program supported by the fund aims to
restore macroeconomic stability, strengthen economic governance and
transparency, and launch sound and sustainable economic growth, while
protecting the most vulnerable,” the Washington-based IMF said in an e-mailed statement today.
Remember, this is all about ensuring Europe gets it gas - since Russia/Gazprom had said no more through Ukraine pipelines if the bill was not paid since they were afraid of stealing.
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2014-04-30/meanwhile-gazprom-sends-ukraine-new-invoice
Meanwhile, Gazprom Sends Ukraine A New Invoice
As the day of the IMF's release of funds to Ukraine draws near - solving all their problems with yet more debt, we are told to believe - Russia's Gazprom has gently reminded the Ukrainian government that it owes them... $3.49 billion! and its due the 7th day of May!
- *GAZPROM SAYS UKRAINE OWES $3.49B FOR GAS AS OF APRIL 30
As Bloomberg reports,
Gazprom preliminary estimate includes bill for natgas supplied in April, spokesman Sergei Kupriyanov says by e-mail.The deadline for monthly payments 7th day of next mo., according to supply contractGazprom estimates Ukraine’s overdue debt through March at over $2.2bUkraine imported ~2.6bcm of natgas in April, Bloomberg calculations based on data from Russian Energy Ministry’s CDU-TEK unit; gas valued at ~$1.3b, based on current price charged by GazpromGazprom raised price for Ukraine to $485/kcm as of April 1 vs $268.50/kcm
Just how is Washington going to cope when all it's "aid" is flushed straight through to the nation whose economy it is trying to cause "costs" to via sanctions...?
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2014-04-30/presenting-russian-east-ukraine-these-are-cities-controlled-separatists
Presenting Russian East Ukraine: These Are The Cities Controlled By "Separatists"
Vladimir Putin 'confirmed' yesterday that there were no Russian forces 'boots on the ground' in Ukraine and so it seems the daily growing list of cities that are falling to pro-Russian separatist forces throughout Eastern Ukraine - as the following chart shows - suggests an ever more divided nation is verging on civil war, despite the best efforts of the West to sanction their way to a fix. As Turchinov warned this morning, there is "real danger of the Russian Federation beginning a land war against Ukraine... our armed forces are on full military readiness."
Source: AFP
Ukraine's armed forces are on full military alert in case of a Russian invasion, the country's acting president said on Wednesday, reiterating concern over Russian troops massed on the border."I once again return to the real danger of the Russian Federation beginning a land war against Ukraine," Oleksander Turchinov told a meeting of regional governors in Kiev, Interfax-Ukraine reported."Our armed forces have been put on full military readiness," he said.Russia says it has no plan to invade eastern Ukraine following its annexation of the Crimean peninsula in March, but Turchinov's remark made clear the pro-Western government in Kiev saw no reason to reduce the readiness of its armed forces.Kiev, however, accuses Moscow of orchestrating an armed uprising in the industrial east by Russian-speaking separatists who have seized government buildings in a strong of towns and cities, largely unopposed by police.
Given NATO's moves we charted here, and the map above, we could not help but find the following statement somewhat ironic...
- RUSSIA'S PUTIN, ITALY'S PM DISCUSS UKRAINE ON THE PHONE, URGE ALL SIDES TO STICK TO GENEVA DEAL ON DE-ESCALATING CRISIS - INTERFAX CITES KREMLIN
Nothing to see here.
And in the latest news... another city just fell...
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2014-04-30/peoples-republic-donetsk-unveils-independence-referendum-set-may-11th
"People's Republic Of Donetsk" Unveils Independence Referendum Set For May 11th
As we showed in the map earlier, the spread of pro-Russian-held cities is rapid across eastern Ukraine and it seems things are reaching a very dangerous head very quickly. As RIA reports, the Central Election Commission of the "Donetsk People's Republic" has agreed to hold a referendum (covering 55 territorial election commissions, more than two thousand polling stations, and more than two million ballots) on May 11th. Citizens will answer one simple question, "Do you support the act of the proclamation of independence of the Donetsk State People's Republic?" As RIA adds, leadership have stated that region of Donetsk will not vote in the May 25 presidential election in Ukraine if the majority of residents support independence.
RIA reports that the Central Election Commission "Donetsk People's Republic" formed the referendum 55 territorial election commissions, and more than two thousand polling stations, published more than two million ballots, according to RIA Novosti, the CEC Chairman, "the People's Republic of Donetsk" Roman Lyagin.
"We organize the referendum, preparation for the meeting less than a month. During this time, much has been done: we formed today 55 TECs and 2000 279 plots. Process that the state is held over three months, we have been in the past month" - he said.The referendum will be held in Donetsk region on May 11. Citizens will have to answer the question: "Do you support the act of the proclamation of independence of the Donetsk State People's Republic?".
Turnout is expected to reach 70 percent of voters area.
According to the head of the CEC, the funds for a vote there. "We are holding a referendum on popular initiative, the budget is minimal. This donation of ordinary people," - said Lyagin.According to him, to print newsletters, you need 100 000 hryvnia, the basic costs of buying paper. He also clarified that the devices for printing ballots "were provided by our friends, partners, we did not buy them."The referendum results will be announced on May 12.Activists are sure it will be just the beginning of the path."We'll get right to self-determination and decide how we want to see your region.
This is a problem for the current Ukraine government - as another major region of their country fades away from their control...
The eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk will not vote in the May 25 presidential election in Ukraine if the majority of residents support independence in a referendum two weeks earlier, a protest leader said Wednesday.“We have no plans to take part in our neighbor’s election,” said Denis Pushilin, a leader of the self-proclaimed People’s Republic of Donetsk....Moscow has repeatedly expressed doubts about the legitimacy of upcoming presidential elections in Ukraine, saying they violate international laws and urging Kiev to take into consideration the demands of all citizens in the country.
In the meantime, we showed the map earlier of what regions are currently under separatist control, but as the following map shows, there is a growing number of regions that "at risk"...
Source: @ukroblogger
So, now what will Washington do?
Russia Today ......
Ukrainian army ‘on full alert’, president admits east is beyond control
The Ukrainian army is on full alert due to the “threat of a Russian invasion,” Ukraine’s acting President Aleksandr Turchinov said after admitting that the government in Kiev cannot control the situation in the east of the country.
“I am going back to the real threat that Russia would unleash a continental war against Ukraine. Our armed forces have been put on full alert,” Turchinov told Wednesday a council of heads of Ukrainian regions in Kiev, as news agencies report.
He called on the audience to speed up the creation of regional militias loyal to Kiev.
“We must have the capability to move those units fast to support other regions against such a threat,” he stressed.
“We must have the capability to move those units fast to support other regions against such a threat,” he stressed.
Turchinov admitted that Kiev simply cannot get the situation in the rebellious eastern regions under control and reiterated earlier accusations, saying some people in law enforcement “are cooperating with terrorist organizations,” the name Kiev authorities use to refer to anti-government protesters who are seizing government buildings in eastern Ukraine.
“Our primary task is to prevent the spread of the terrorist threat to other regions of Ukraine,” he said.
In contradiction to the previous moves of the government, which included raids on protester checkpoints and other demonstrations of force, Turchinov said “as we know from the experience of Maidan, the use of force is inefficient. That’s the situation we faced in the eastern regions.”
Earlier on Tuesday, the acting president said in a televised address that the situation in the east of the country “demonstrated inaction, helplessness and sometimes treason” and pledged to sack many officers in eastern regions of Ukraine.
Turchinov was elected a new speaker of the parliament and appointed by the MPs to act as the country’s acting president after the previous leader, Viktor Yanukovich, was ousted following violent street protests in February.
The new authorities in Kiev are failing to deal with a wave of protests against them centered in the Donetsk Region of eastern Ukraine.
The new authorities in Kiev are failing to deal with a wave of protests against them centered in the Donetsk Region of eastern Ukraine.
Despite announcing an “anti-terrorist operation” and amassing a large number of troops and heavy weapons in the region, the national government has failed to prevent the continued seizures of buildings there and some other eastern regions of Ukraine.
There are indications that Kiev does not have enough loyal troops to deliver on its promised protest crackdown. On several occasions the troops sent against activists simply defected, surrendering their weapons and armored vehicles.
http://rt.com/news/155748-rally-kiev-massive-fight/
Far-right rally turns into massive brawl on Kiev’s Maidan, shots heard (PHOTOS)
A massive fight broke out on Kiev’s landmark Independence Square (Maidan) on Tuesday night, with shots and explosives being heard, according to Ukrainian media. There are reports of injuries.
Eye witnesses described over 100 people, reportedly members of the far-right Social-National Assembly, marching with burning torches towards Maidan – the epicenter of the massive uprising that removed former President Yanukovich from power. The marchers came to commemorate those killed during anti-government protests in December-February.
Maidan self-defense units blocked the rally at the barricades across from the main post office, prompting a massive fight.
The far-right radicals reportedly used firecrackers, traumatic guns, and tear gas. Many of them carried bats and sticks. There are reports of injuries, according to Ukrainian media.
One of the tents at Maidan caught fire, and the blazes were swiftly extinguished. Witnesses reported ambulances arriving at the scene.
Eventually, the self-defense units allowed the rally to pass through. The march then began to move towards Ukrainian Parliament, local television channels reported.
Nationalist sentiment has been prevalent in Ukraine throughout the ongoing crisis. On Sunday, hundreds took part in a march in the western city of Lvov to mark the anniversary of the formation of the 'Galician' Ukrainian SS division, which fought for the Nazis against the Soviet Union during World War II.
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