Ukraine girding its loins to avert another Crimea ?
Itar - Tass....
Ukraine creates anti-crisis headquarters, considers stronger penalties for separatism
April 07, 17:51 UTC+4
On April 8, the Verkhovna Rada is planning to discuss a law that will impose stronger penalties for separatism and other crimes against the state
On April 8, the Verkhovna Rada is planning to discuss a law that will impose stronger penalties for separatism and other crimes against the state
KIEV, April 07. /ITAR-TASS/. The Ukrainian authorities have created an anti-crisis headquarters and will strengthen “penalties for separatist activities”, parliament-appointed acting President Oleksandr Turchynov said on Monday, April 7, commenting on the latest events in eastern regions of the country.
“Last night we created an anti-crisis headquarters, and we will carry out counter-terrorism operations against those who take up arms,” he said. “We have stepped up security on the eastern border of the country. Considering the passiveness of some local law enforcement units, they will be reinforced with personnel from other regions,” Turchinov said.
He said that for the purpose of “coordinating the work of law enforcement agencies”, Interior Minister Arsen Avakov had went to Kharkiv, First Deputy Prime Minister Vitaliy Yarema had headed to Donetsk, National Security and Defense Council Chair Andriy Parubiy and Security Service chief Valentyn Nalyvaichenko had been sent to Luhansk (all three cities are located in the east of Ukraine where people are demanding a referendum on federalization of Ukraine).
On Tuesday, April 8, the national parliament is planning to discuss a law that will impose stronger penalties for separatism and other crimes against the state. “We will also raise the question of banning political parties and public organizations that advocate separatism,” Turchnynov said.
Russia urges Ukraine to halt military preparations to avert civil war
April 08, 0:49 UTC+4
"Units of the Interior troops and national guards as well as militants from the illegal armed formation ‘The Right Sector’ are being amassed in the southeastern parts of Ukraine," the ministry said.
MOSCOW, April 08. /ITAR-TASS/. The Russian Foreign Ministry urged Ukraine to halt any interior military preparations, which could instigate a civil war in the country, the ministry was quoted as saying on its Facebook.com account.
“According to our information, units of the Interior troops and Ukraine’s national guards as well as militants from the illegal armed formation ‘The Right Sector’ are being amassed in the southeastern parts of Ukraine and in the city of Donetsk,” the ministry said.
“We are particularly concerned that the operation involves some 150 American mercenaries from a private company Greystone Ltd., dressed in the uniform of the [Ukrainian] special task police unit Sokol,” the ministry said.
Explaining the template ....
Russia Tells Ukrainians: 'Referendum' Or We Can't Protect You As Ukraine Proposes State Of Emegency
The relative calm of the last two weeks as US talking-heads proclaim Ukraine 'fixed', Russia 'under control', and Europe 'recovering' is being obliterated this morning. The storming of various non-Crimean Ukrainian city government buildings suggest round two of the push is beginning and Russia is wasting no time explaining how this will go down. Russian Senator Viktor Ozerov stated that "Russia has no right to [send peacekeepers] unilaterally" to Eastern and Southern Ukraine (unless the UN agrees)... but... "Russia is interested in stability in Ukraine. At the same time, the will of the people must be documented. A referendum is the most democratic way of expressing one's will." In other words, "we can't help you unless you hold a referendum to annex." Stage 2 is beginning... and it seems Ukraine is getting it as they are preparing to issue a state of emergency.
From Russia with no love - we can't help you, our poor Russian Ukrainian friends...
Russian peacekeepers can be sent to a foreign country exclusively within the framework of international law, not at the request of local authorities, Chairman of the Federation Council's Defense and Security Committee Viktor Ozerov told Interfax while commenting on the Donetsk People's Council's possible appeal to Russia to send peacekeepers to this part of Ukraine."Our peacekeepers can only act in compliance with international law. We had examples when peacekeepers were sent to South Ossetia and Abkhazia, but that was done within the framework of the Commonwealth of Independent States. Just sending our peacekeepers to Donetsk, or elsewhere at the request of the local authorities would go against the principles of international law," Ozerov said."Russia has no right to do this unilaterally. If, however, the UN Security Council passes a resolution on the introduction of peacekeepers, Russia, as its permanent member and a signatory to the Treaty on Cooperation and Security in Europe, will have the right to join a peacekeeping contingent in order to guarantee security in this or that region," Ozerov said.
Unless you hold a referendum...
He said the Federation Council allowed the president to use the military in Ukraine at an emergency meeting in March. "That was connected with the situation in Crimea. However, in this case we were motivated by the Black Sea fleet agreements and the need to enhance the security of our bases. We are satisfied that we did not have to use Russian servicemen during the referendum in Crimea, and that residents of Crimea decided their future on their own," Ozerov said.Commenting on the situation in Ukraine's eastern regions, where pro-Russian forces want to hold a referendum, Ozerov said that, "it would be counterproductive to incite events from the outside.""Russia is interested in stability in Ukraine. At the same time, the will of the people must be documented. A referendum is the most democratic way of expressing one's will," Ozerov said.
And local 'Russian' residents are getting the message...
"What is happening in Donetsk, Luhansk and other eastern regions of Ukraine is logical, taking into account the policy being pursued by the Ukrainian leaders, who disregard ordinary citizens' opinions and appoint oligarchs to govern," Ryazansky told Interfax.
As is the Ukraine government,
A law proposing the introduction of a state of emergency in Donetsk, Lugansk and Kharkov regions following the public disorder over the weekend has been submitted to the Rada.Presidential candidate, Yulia Tymoshenko, has arrived in Donetsk in eastern Ukraine, following large-scale protests there over the weekend.She labeled the occupation of local administrative buildings in Ukraine a “separatist power grab,” and has called on the government to “make such actions impossible in the future.”...A group of about 100 masked men with baseball bats attacked the demonstrators, forcing them to flee, with police unable to separate the two sides. The activists then occupied the square, and began chanting “Referendum! Referendum!” – demanding a poll that would allow the region greater autonomy from Kiev.
Crimea 2.0 indeed...
It seems the market's hope for stability are taking a battering also (especially after last week's exuberant call from SocGen to get long - following Goldman) with 2-month maturity bond yields breaking above 30% once again.
Here we go ! People's Republic of Donetsk .... Now seeking peace-keeping assistance from Putin and a Referendum for Southeast Ukraine no later than May 11 , 2014 !
Crimea 2.0: Donetsk Activists Declare Kiev Independence, Request "Temporary Peacekeeping" Support From Putin
Less than a month after the Crimean referendum which pulled the region away from Ukraine and ceded it to Russia, another east Ukraine regional city, Donetsk, has just declared its independence from Kiev following the previously reported mini coup yesterday in which pro-Russia activists seized the government building in the city, as well as the other two regional capitals. Specifically, as RT reports, today at 12:20 local time, a session of the people's Council of Donbass (Donetsk region) took place in the main hall of the Regional Council and without the police (whose allegiance to Kiev also appears to be non-existent) intervening,unanimously voted on a declaration to form a new independent state: the People’s Republic of Donetsk.
Sure enough, promptly thereafter the Council of the new republic issued an address to Russian President Vladimir Putin, asking for deployment of a temporary peacekeeping force to the region. Just like Crimea.
And so another city pulls away from Ukraine and gives Russia the go ahead to create a toehold in East Ukraine, just according to Putin's plan.
The Council proclaimed itself the only legitimate body in the region until the regions in southeast Ukraine conduct a general referendum, set to take place no later than May 11.
The Council in Donetsk issued an address to Russian President Vladimir Putin, asking for deployment of a temporary peacekeeping force to the region.
“Without support it will be hard for us to stand against the junta in Kiev,” said the address.
Rallies in support of the federalization of Ukraine continue in a number of cities in southeast Ukraine. Thousands of citizens have joined the protests, demanding the earliest possible federalization of the country.
Ukraine’s Ministry of Interior said that last night unknown persons stormed the Security Service of Ukraine building in the city of Lugansk and seized a weapons warehouse there. During the night’s clashes, nine people were reportedly injured.
Rallies in support of the federalization of Ukraine continue in a number of cities in southeast Ukraine. Thousands of citizens have joined the protests, demanding the earliest possible federalization of the country.
Ukraine’s Ministry of Interior said that last night unknown persons stormed the Security Service of Ukraine building in the city of Lugansk and seized a weapons warehouse there. During the night’s clashes, nine people were reportedly injured.
In the city of Kharkov protesters erected barricades around the buildings of the city and the regional administrations and the regional headquarters of Security Service of Ukraine.
* * *
The ruble is sliding on the news, while wire services reported that Ukraine leader Tymoshenko will fly to Donetsk. Hopefully she will be safe upon arrival.
Business Insider....
Ukraine Prime Minister: Russia Is Trying To Take Eastern Ukraine
REUTERS/Stringer
Pro-Russia protesters (R) scuffle with the police near the regional government building in Donetsk April 6, 2014.
Saying Russian troops were within a 30 km (19 mile) zone from the Ukrainian border, Yatseniuk told a government meeting: "An anti-Ukrainian plan is being put into operation ... under which foreign troops will cross the border and seize the territory of the country.
"We will not allow this," he said.
Pro-Russian protesters in the east seized official buildings in three cities - Kharkiv, Luhansk and Donetsk - on Sunday night, demanding that referendums be held on whether to join Russia.
A similar move preceded a Russia-backed takeover of Crimea in March followed by annexation of the peninsula by Russia.
Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said on Monday the main regional administration building in Kharkiv had been cleared of "separatists".
But police said protesters occupying the state security building in Luhansk had seized weapons and highway police had closed off roads into the city.
"Unknown people who are in the building have broken into the building's arsenal and have seized weapons," a police statement said. Nine people had been hurt in the disturbances in Luhansk.
Mainly Russian-speaking eastern Ukraine has seen a sharp rise in tension since Moscow-backed Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich's overthrow in February and the advent of an interim government in Kiev that wants closer ties with Europe.
Russia has branded the new leadership in Kiev illegitimate and has annexed Ukraine's Crimea region, citing threats to its Russian-speaking majority - a move that caused the biggest standoff between Moscow and the West since the end of the Cold War.
YANUKOVICH CALL
The protesters appeared to be responding in part to Yanukovich, who fled to Russia after he was ousted and who on March 28 issued a public call for each of Ukraine's regions to hold a referendum on its status inside the country.
Separately, Ukraine's defense ministry said a Russian marine had shot and killed a Ukrainian naval officer inCrimea on Sunday night.
The 33-year-old officer, who was preparing to leave Crimea, was shot twice in officers' quarters in the locality of Novofedorovka. It was not clear why the Russian marine had opened fire.
Yatseniuk said that though much of the unrest had died down in eastern Ukraine in the past month there remained about 1,500 "radicals" in each region who spoke with "clear Russian accents" and whose activity was being coordinated through foreign intelligence services.
But he said Ukrainian authorities had drawn up a plan to handle the crisis.
"We have a clear action plan," he said, adding that senior officials would head to the towns concerned.
Avakov on Sunday accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of orchestrating the "separatist disorder" and promised that disturbances would be brought under control without violence.
Russia has been pushing internationally a plan proposing the "federalization" of Ukraine in which regions of the country of 46 million would have broad powers of autonomy.
Ukraine, while drawing up its own blueprint of constitutional changes for 'de-centralization' in which smaller municipalities would be able to develop their own areas by retaining a portion of state taxes raised, says the Russian plan is aimed at breaking up the country.
Referring to the Russian plan, Yatseniuk said: "It is an attempt to destroy Ukrainian statehood, a script which has been written in the Russian Federation, the aim of which is to divide and destroy Ukraine and turn part of Ukraineinto a slave territory under the dictatorship of Russia," he said.
"This is not going to happen," he said.
"I appeal to the people and the elites of the east. Our common responsibility is to preserve the country and I am sure that no-one wants to be under a neighboring country. We have our country. Let's keep it," he said.
Anti war.....
EU Warns Russia Faces ‘Failed State’ Neighbor in Ukraine
Urges Russia to Help With Bailout of Kiev
by Jason Ditz, April 06, 2014
Instead of making their current round of negotiations in Athens about picking a fight with Russia, EU Foreign Ministers are courting the Russian government to help them with the bailout of Ukraine.
German FM Frank-Walter Steinmeier said it was important for Russia to realize how close Ukraine is to becoming a “failed state,” and how undesirable it would be for Russia to have to deal with that on their border.
Some of the more hawkish nations pressed to impose more sanctions on Russia anyhow, with Lithuania FM Linas Linkevicius saying anything less would be a sign of weakness.
Yet there is an increasing recognition that the sanctions war would hurt the EU as much, if not more, than it hurts Russia, and as the EU looks at its post-regime change “prize” in the Ukraine, the staggering cost of a bailout for the country is making it look like less than a bargain.
NATO Chief: Answer to Russia Is More Military Spending
Rasmussen: We Owe It to Society
by Jason Ditz, April 06, 2014
To a man with a hammer, everything looks like a nail, and to the Secretary-General of the largest, most expensive military alliance on the planet, everything looks like an excuse for taxpayers to get out their wallets.
NATO Chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen’s latest commentary reads much like every other commentary on every other situation even remotely NATO themed, a plea for dramatic increases in military spending to “modernize” a fighting force that is already the overwhelming majority of the planet’s armed forces.
Today, the excuse is the Russian annexation of Crimea, which Rasmussen spun as a need for “intensive training” to confront Russia militarily, and a major hike in deployments to eastern Europe for “defense.”
Rasmussen’s position is nothing new for him, or for NATO’s leadership, as US officials have similarly pushed for spending increases, the same increases they were fighting for last summer without the illusory Russian threat, but now with a new sense of feigned urgency.
Ukraine Refuses to Pay for Gas From Russia
Interim PM Dubs New Price 'Unfair'
by Jason Ditz, April 06, 2014
Ukraine’s interim Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk announced today that he considers the new price announced by Russian gas company Gazprom “unfair,” and that Ukraine won’t pay it.
During the previous government, Gazprom has been pressured to provide a substantial discount on gas, but since the ouster of the pro-Russian government, they are raising the price from $268 to $485 per 1,000 cubic meters, roughly the same price as Gazprom charges other European countries.
It is unclear how long Gazprom is going to keep providing gas to Ukraine if it isn’t being paid, and the move appears to be a gamble by the interim Ukraine government that the EU will pony up more heavily subsidized gas rather than let the nation’s economy collapse for lack of energy.
On the other hand, Ukraine hadn’t been paying Gazprom the $268 rate at any rate, and had racked up billions of dollars in unpaid bills, so it isn’t clear if today’s policy of not paying their bills amounts to a real departure in Ukrainian government policy, or just more of the same.
Protesters Seize Govt Buildings Across E. Ukraine; Govt Blames Russia
Protesters in Donetsk Demand Independence Referendum
by Jason Ditz, April 06, 2014
After a couple of weeks of relative calm, the unrest in Eastern Ukraine looks to be exploding again today, with thousands of protesters waving Russian flags condemning the “illegal junta in Kiev” in three major eastern cities.
The protesters seized government buildings in each city, most notably in the key industrial city of Donetsk, where they are now demanding a referendum on secession from Ukraine and accession into Russia.
Ukraine’s interim government in vowing to crack down on the protests to “restore order” to the border region, and are blaming Russian President Vladimir Putin for the demonstrators.
Donetsk and the surrounding area was overwhelming supportive of the ruling Party of Regions, forced out by pro-West protests, and elected President Yanukovych, now in exile in Russia, was born just outside of Donetsk.
Russia Today.....
Russia Today.....
Clashes erupt as Kharkov protesters declare independence
Police have clashed with anti-coup protesters in Kharkov, in an effort to push the crowd back from the administration building. Earlier, activists in the second-largest Ukrainian city followed those in Donetsk and proclaimed a People’s Republic of Kharkov
A group of protesters tried to storm the Kharkov administration building on Monday evening but were pushed back by law enforcement officers who barricaded themselves inside the building. Police were reportedly using fire-hoses and stun grenades to push the crowd back.
According to witnesses, the violence was triggered by a group of provocateurs. Earlier in the day, pro-EU demonstrators had already clashed with supporters of the federalization of Ukraine.
Protesters reportedly started several fires near the building and were also throwing Molotov cocktails in order to smoke police out from the building. According to activists at the scene, police who barricaded themselves inside the building were deployed from western Ukraine.
Donetsk activists proclaim region's independence from Ukraine
In the Eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk, a group of activists have declared their region independence from Kiev. It happened after protesters stormed a local government building last night.
Mass demonstrations against the country's new leadership started peacefully on Sunday, but the situation quickly escalated.
Pro-Russian protesters in Donetsk have seized the local power building, including the headquarters of the Security Service of Ukraine and proclaimed the creation of a People’s Republic of Donetsk.
Ukraine’s police and security services have not interfered, although officials in Kiev are threatening punishment for the rioters.
Protesters have erected barricades around the Council building.
Today at 12:20 local time, a session of the people's Council of Donbass (Donetsk region) took place in the main hall of the Regional Council and unanimously voted on a declaration to form a new independent state: the People’s Republic of Donetsk.
The Council proclaimed itself the only legitimate body in the region until the regions in southeast Ukraine conduct a general referendum, set to take place no later than May 11.
The Council in Donetsk issued an address to Russian President Vladimir Putin, asking for deployment of a temporary peacekeeping force to the region.
“Without support it will be hard for us to stand against the junta in Kiev,” said the address.
Rallies in support of the federalization of Ukraine continue in a number of cities in southeast Ukraine. Thousands of citizens have joined the protests, demanding the earliest possible federalization of the country.
Ukraine’s Ministry of Interior said that last night unknown persons stormed the Security Service of Ukraine building in the city of Lugansk and seized a weapons warehouse there. During the night’s clashes, nine people were reportedly injured.
In the city of Kharkov protesters erected barricades around the buildings of the city and the regional administrations and the regional headquarters of Security Service of Ukraine.
and.....
Abducted Ukrainian journalist found killed, believed to be tortured first
A kidnapped Ukrainian journalist and Maidan activist has been found dead in a forest some 150 kilometers (90 miles) from the capital Kiev. The reporter is believed to have been brutally tortured before being killed and buried, local media report.
According to the local prosecutor’s office, Vasily Sergiyenko was beaten and abducted in his home city of Korsun-Shevchenkivsky, central Ukraine, on Friday evening.
“It has been established that at around 20:30 on April 4 perpetrators kidnapped Vasily Sergiyenko. Later he was killed and his body was buried in a forest in an attempt to hide the evidence,” Cherkassk province’s prosecutors announced in a statement on Sunday.
The nationalist Svoboda (Freedom) party, of which Sergiyenko was a member, said that according to witnesses a group of three unknown men attacked the local newspaper reporter outside his home on Friday evening. There was a fight, and Sergiyenko was forced into a white car.
This version was corroborated by the journalist’s mother who called the police right after her son was attacked and abducted.
Sergiyenko’s body with stab wounds and signs of beatings to his head and knees was discovered on Saturday afternoon, when a group of self-defense unit members found a freshly heaped up mound disguised as a dump.
“In the afternoon guys from local self-defense forces found a spot of freshly dug pit. They waited until police came and started digging out the rubbish-covered spot. They found a man’s body lying with his face down with hand-cuffs on his wrists,” the local Gazeta.ua online newspaper cited Oleg Sobchenko as saying. “After they lifted the man’s body we saw the signs of terrible torture: Vasiliy’s head was completely smashed, his knees fractured, [he had] several knife wounds in the area of his kidneys, a knife wound in the heart area and several knife wounds to his heart from his back, his neck was also cut.”
Svoboda Party believes the killing bears the hallmarks of a politically motivated hit. Vasily Sergiyenko played an active role during Maidan protests in February, which resulted in the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovich and the incumbent government.
At the same time, the prosecution isn’t ruling out that Sergiyenko’s death could be somehow connected with the former head of the Cherkassk region, Sergey Tulube. The murdered journalist wrote a number of critical pieces about Tulube, who is now wanted by police.
This is the second case of a journalist being murdered in the past few months of political crisis in Ukraine. In mid-February the journalist, Vyacheslav Veremyi, of the local “Vremya” (“Time”) pro-government newspaper died of a gunshot to the chest. The reporter and his colleague, an IT specialist, were attacked by unknown people about 800 meters away from Independence Square (Maidan), while going home by taxi. The two were beaten up and shot. The journalist sustained deadly injuries, while his colleague’s face was seriously maimed.
And....
And....
Ukraine nationalists attempt storm on Kiev Supreme Court
Radical activists representing nationalist Right Sector group are attempting to storm Kiev’s Supreme Court building. They have blocked the entrances into the building and surrounded its perimeter.
Around 100 activists prevented Supreme Court employees from entering the building through the back door.
Near the building, a stage has been set up with audio equipment. Car tires have been brought to the building, but haven’t yet been set on fire.
The activists disrupted the convention of judges that was scheduled for Monday.
A few judges, who were in the building before the attack, were led out by the activists shouting “Lustration!”
The protesters are demanding to adopt lustration legislation, which implies that people connected to a former regime may not get office with the new authorities. The far right activists are concerned about the fact that the judicial authorities may grant almost 150 ousted officials with powers, despite their relationship to the ousted president.
The 150 include Viktor Yanukovich, ex-head of presidential administration Andrey Klyuyev, ex-premiers Sergey Arbuzov and Nikolay Azarov, Interior Ministry and judicial officials – as well as their family members.
Right Sector is known for its violent behavior and radical nationalist views.
Just over a week ago, a downtown shootout instigated by one of its members injured three, including Deputy Mayor Bogdan Dubas. As a result, Ukraine’s coup-imposed interior minister demanded that the organization leaves its Kiev headquarters.
The Right Sector movement first appeared at the end of November 2013 supporting pro-EU protests on Kiev's Independence Square (Maidan).
The movement is headed by Dmitry Yarosh. In March, the ultra-nationalist movement decided to become a political party, nominating Yarosh for president.
Meanwhile, Russia put Yarosh on an international wanted list and charged him with inciting terrorism after he urged Chechen terrorist leader, Doku Umarov, to launch attacks on Russia over the Ukrainian conflict. The far-right leader has also threatened to destroy Russian pipelines on Ukrainian territory.
Itar - Tass.....
Russia’s Gazprom plans to sell gas for rubles
April 07, 14:54 UTC+4
Gazprom Neft is also discussing a shift from US dollars to euro payment in settlements with buyers
Gazprom Neft is also discussing a shift from US dollars to euro payment in settlements with buyers
MOSCOW, April 07. /ITAR-TASS/. Russian gas giant Gazprom is considering more active use of the ruble in settlements with foreign contractors, Vedomosti business daily reported on Monday, quoting Gazprom spokesperson Sergei Kupriyanov.
“We have agreed with our buyers on possible conversion of the contracts into euro. Almost all, to say precisely, 95%, of purchasers confirmed that they were prepared to shift to settlements in euro,” Dyukov was quoted as saying.
“In a vague situation over sanctions we have considered different scenarios, including a certain alternative plan. In essence, there is nothing impossible in converting deals from US dollars to euro and euro to rubles. Certainly, it is needed to explore the effectiveness of this approach and this issue remains open personally for me,” the citation added.
Board chairman at VTB bank Andrei Kostin has put forward an initiative to pass urgently to settlements in rubles in exports, Vedemosti's story said. “Supplies of Gazprom, [Russian oil major] Rosneft and [Russian arms exporter] Rosoboronexport make about $230 billion annually, or 44% of aggregate commodity export," said the report, adding that "The West appeals to isolate Russia using US dollar settlements as nuclear weapons in finances.”
Kostin added that Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller, Rosneft President Igor Sechin and Director General of Russian technologies state corporation Rostec Sergei Chemezov had told him they were prepared to pass to settlements in rubles, the paper said.
and.....
On this background, residents of the city of Donetsk were holding an action of protest in front of the building of the Regional State Administration. The gathering was chanting ‘Russia, Russia!’ and waving the Russian flags.
The Russian tricolor standard was installed on the building of the Kharkiv Oblast administration Monday. Prior to the action, the demonstrators removed the Ukrainian national flag from the roof.
and.....
Legislature of just proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic asks Putin move in peacekeepers
April 07, 14:21 UTC+4
Earlier, the deputies of the Donetsk regional council proclaimed the state sovereignty of the Donetsk People’s Republic
Earlier, the deputies of the Donetsk regional council proclaimed the state sovereignty of the Donetsk People’s Republic
KIEV, April 7. /ITAR-TASS/. The council of recently proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic turned to the Russian president, asking him to introduce a temporary peacekeeping contingent.
The lawmakers unanimously supported the address of the Republican Council of the Donetsk People’s Republic.
Earlier, the deputies of the Donetsk regional council proclaimed the state sovereignty of the Donetsk People’s Republic. The corresponding bill was read at the council’s session.
“The territory of the republic within the recognized borders is indivisible and inviolable,” the council said. The legislators also passed a decision on holding a referendum on whether or not the region should join the Russian Federation. It will be held no later than May 11.
In the meantime, a Russian tricolor that was hoisted on a mast in front of the building Sunday has been replaced with a larger one.
Mass meetings in support of Ukraine’s transformation into a federation were held under Russian flags in Kharkiv, Luhansk and Donetsk Sunday.
On Monday, supporters of turning the country into a federation put up barricades in front of the entrance to the Kharkiv Oblast administration. They used automobile tires among other ‘construction materials’.
On using Russian Armed Forces on the territory of Ukraine
March 1, 2014, Russia’s Federation Council gave its consent to the president for using the armed forces on the territory of Ukraine. The relevant decision was unanimously adopted by the upper house of Russian parliament at an extraordinary session. Earlier, Vladimir Putin submitted to the Federation Council an address on using the armed forces of Russia on the territory of Ukraine until the normalization of the socio-political situation in that country. This initiative was proposed with regard to a plea by Ukraine’s legitimate president Viktor Yanukovych.
Later the Ukrainian leader said that the address to Vladimir Putin regarding the use of armed forces was triggered by the bout of armed delinquency in Ukraine. “I’ve done it for a reason, because I became target of the criminals. Armed gangs started to cruise around the country. In particular, they pursued me on the territory of Ukraine,” he said.
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