Vladimir Putin tells troops to return from drills as Ukraine fears attack
- 11 hours ago March 04, 2014
- Russian troops seize key strategic points
- Markets plunge in response to ‘invasion’
- Obama threatens ‘economic, political isolation’
- Vladimir Putin accused of ‘Hitler’ actions
Putin watches military demonstration, Obama condemns 2:01
Russian cossacks near the Ukrainian border express
their solidarity with ethnic Russians in Crimea, as the U.S. warns
Moscow of sanctions if the crisis in Ukraine escalates. Mana Rabiee
reports.
Ukraine statusboard
<div
class="iframe-alt">(Frame content direct link: <a
href="http://embed.scribblelive.com/Embed/v7.aspx?Id=461378&ThemeId=16707">http://embed.scribblelive.com/Embed/v7.aspx?Id=461378&ThemeId=16707</a>.)</div>
VLADIMIR Putin ordered tens of thousands of Russian troops
participating in military exercises near Ukraine’s border to return to
their bases as US Secretary of State John Kerry was on his way to Kiev.
Tensions remained high in the strategic Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea with troops loyal to Moscow firing warning shots at protesting Ukrainian soldiers.It was not clear if Putin’s move was an attempt to heed the West’s call to de-escalate the crisis that has put Ukraine’s future on the line.
It came as Kerry was on his way to Kiev to meet with the new Ukrainian leadership that deposed a pro-Russian president, and has accused Moscow of a military invasion. The Kremlin, which does not recognize the new Ukrainian leadership, insists it made the move in order to protest millions of Russians living there.
Tpday, pro-Russian troops who had taken control of the Belbek air base in the Crimea region fired warning shots into the air as around 300 Ukrainian soldiers, who previously manned the airfield, demanded their jobs back.
About a dozen Russian soldiers at the base warned the Ukrainians, who were marching unarmed, not to approach. They fired several warning shots into the air and said they would shoot the Ukrainians if they continued to march toward them.
The shots were apparently the first fired since pro-Russian troops - estimated by Ukrainian authorities to be 16,000 strong -tightened their grip on the Crimea Peninsula over the weekend.
There was no fighting elsewhere in Crimea early on Tuesday. A supposed Russian ultimatum for two Ukrainian warships to surrender or be seized passed without action from either side, as the two ships remained anchored in the Crimean port of Sevastopol. Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Vladimir Anikin said late Monday that no ultimatum had been issued.
Early on Tuesday, Putin’s spokesman told Russian news agencies that Putin ordered troops participating in military exercises in western Russia near the Ukraine border to return to their permanent bases. The order was issued almost a week after Russia began massive exercises involving most military units in western Russia, stoking fears that the Kremlin might use the troops to seize territory in pro-Russian areas of eastern Ukraine.
Pro-Russian activists surround an
entrance to the General Staff Headquarters of the Ukrainian Navy, while
it is blocked by wooden pallets, in Sevastopol, Ukraine. (AP
Photo/Andrew Lubimov)
Source: AP
The disclosure of ousted President Viktor Yanukovych’s support for Russian military intervention was made at the third emergency meeting of the UN Security Council since Friday. It came amid fears that the Kremlin might carry out more land grabs in pro-Russian eastern Ukraine.
Russia faced demands from almost all council members to pull its troops out of Crimea and got no support for its military action from close ally China.
“With the exception of one member of the Security Council — the Russian Federation — we have heard overwhelming support for the territorial integrity of Ukraine, and for peaceful dialogue,’’ US Ambassador Samantha Power said.
Pro-Russia ... an activist of the
"Other Russia" opposition party burns a crossed-out portrait of Stepan
Bandera, the leader of the Ukrainian nationalists in the 1940s, during a
rally in support of ethnic Russians in the Crimea and Eastern Ukraine
in St. Petersburg. Picture: Olga Maltseva
Source: AFP
Russia has veto power as a permanent member and can block the council from adopting any resolution criticising or sanctioning Moscow.
During the heated meeting, Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin strongly defended his government’s actions as “fully appropriate and legitimate’’ to defend the human rights of the Russian-speaking minority in Ukraine, which he claimed is under threat of oppression from the north and west after violent protests swept in a new government.
He told the council he was authorised to read a statement from Yanukovych — and offered to show council members a copy — requesting President Putin to use his armed forces to restore peace and defend the people of Ukraine.
Yanukovych fled the former Soviet republic to Russia after his ouster and had said Friday that he would not ask for Russian forces.
Heated discussions ... Russian
Ambassador Vitaly Churkin speaks during a meeting of the UN Security
Council. Picture: Bebeto Matthews
Source: AP
French Ambassador Gerard Araud said the letter was just a piece of paper handed to Yanukovych which “got his signature.’’ Asked if the letter was phony, Araud replied, “It’s not a false letter, it’s a false president.’’
Power, the US envoy, dismissed Moscow’s contention that it intervened militarily in Crimea to protect the human rights of Russian civilians there as “baseless,’’ insisting there is no evidence of any threats against ethnic Russians in Ukraine.
”One might think that Moscow has just become the rapid response arm of the High Commissioner for Human Rights,’’ she told the council.
The letter described what could be the first reported casualty of the crisis. Sergeyev claimed that Russian forces trying to capture the armoury of the Ukrainian Air Tactical brigade near Sevastopol used stun grenades against Ukrainian soldiers Sunday, leaving an officer with a brain injury and in shock.
Cry for help ... Ukrainian permanent
representative to the United Nations Yuriy Sergeyev following a meeting
of the Security Council. Picture: Andrew Burton/Getty Images
Source: AFP
Power said the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe — which includes Russia, the US, and all European countries — was deploying monitors to Ukraine on Monday night. She urged Russia to allow the monitors to go to Crimea, an appeal echoed by many other council members.
Churkin didn’t rule that out but said it must be considered by the government in Crimea.
Family support ... a Ukrainian
soldier and his wife grip hands at the main gate of the Belbek military
base while anticipating a possible Russian attackin Lubimovka, Ukraine.
Picture: Sean Gallup
Source: Getty Images
Every Security Council speaker but Russia urged a peaceful solution to the worst crisis in Europe in the 21st century. Even China’s Ambassador Liu Jieyi didn’t endorse Russia’s military action, saying: “China consistently stands for the principles of noninterference in the internal affairs of a country, and for respect for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.’’
The meeting featured several rounds of testy exchanges.
”This meeting was unfortunately totally useless,’’ France’s Araud said afterwards.
“We were hoping that the ambassador of the Russian Federation would tell us that the Russian Federation is agreeing to mediation, but they did not. They said that the government of Kiev has no legitimacy.’’
Keep moving ... an unidentified armed
man stands outside the headquarters of the Ukrainian Navy in
Sevastopol. Picture: Filippo Monteforte
Source: AFP
The United States has suspended military cooperation with Russia because of its military intervention in Ukraine, the Pentagon says, urging Moscow to “de-escalate the crisis”.
“We have, in light of recent events in Ukraine, put on hold all military-to-military engagements between the United States and Russia,’’ spokesman Rear Admiral John Kirby said in a statement.
The suspension covers “exercises, bilateral meetings, port visits and planning conferences”, Kirby said.
The United States is closely monitoring the crisis and calls on “Russian forces in Crimea to return to their bases, as required under the agreements governing the Russia Black Sea Fleet,’’ he said.
Kirby also stressed that US forces have not altered their presence in the Black Sea or elsewhere in response to the crisis.
“There has been no change to our military posture in Europe or the Mediterranean,’’ he said.
Naval forces continue to carry out “routine, previously planned operations and exercises with allies and partners in the region,’’ he said.
On patrol ... Ukrainian soldiers at
the Belbek military base stand on alert anticipating a possible Russian
approach in Lubimovka, Ukraine. Tensions at the base, where between 100
and 200 Ukrainian soldiers are stationed, are high. Picture: Sean Gallup
Source: Getty Images
American and Russian armed forces hold dozens of training events, exchanges and meetings a year as part of an effort to improve relations and defuse potential misunderstandings.
Russian officers took part in an airline hostage rescue exercise scenario with US and Canadian air commanders in 2012.
The US military has relied on Moscow’s cooperation in recent years to ferry equipment and supplies across Russian territory to and from Afghanistan.
The US has also suspended talks aimed at boosting trade an investment between the countries in an attempt to pressure Russia over its actions.
US President Barack Obama has warned of a “whole series” of punitive economic and diplomatic measures and made another appeal directly to Russia not “to put itself on the wrong side of history”.
Opinion: What's Really Going On In Ukraine? 3:46
Editorial page editor Paul Gigot on the struggle for control of Crimea. Photos: Associated Press
A full-scale military assault of the southern and eastern parts of Ukraine appears inevitable as Russian troops begin crossing the Ukraine border en masse.
Three truckloads of Russian troops have seized control of the ferry port between Crimea and Russia and within hours Russian troops began making the crossing. There are reports a column of armoured personnel carriers are also forming in Russia preparing to cross the narrow 4.5km wide and 19km long strait.
In parts of southern Ukraine hundreds of troops believed to be Russian but wearing no insignias surrounded other Ukrainian military installations and also used a war ship to block the Crimean harbour. There were reports the Ukrainian navy had been ordered to surrender by later today or be fired upon but Russian officials denied such a specific threat was made.
Acting Ukrainian Defence Minister Ihor Tenyukh said about 16,000 Russian servicemen were currently on Ukrainian territory; the US put the figure closer to 6000. At any rate, the Ukraine military confirmed practically all its military bases, navy yards and airfields in Crimea were now surrounded.
Russian aircraft have also now begun flyovers over Ukraine territory.
Russian forces have also reportedly intermittently blocked mobile phone services in Crimea while in Ukraine’s east, pro-Russian demonstrators have stormed the regional government building in Donetsk, the home city of deposed Yanukovych. Some fear Russian troops will support their action.
President Putin has already dismissed threats of sanctions and withdrawals from formal economic forums like the G8 despite his soft assault on Ukraine
Stocks, bonds and the rouble plunged as the Moscow stock market fell 11.3 per cent, wiping nearly $60 billion off the value of Russian companies — more than the $51 billion Russia spent on the Winter Olympics in Sochi last month. The central bank spent as much as $12 billion of its reserves to prop up the rouble as investors took fright at tensions with the West over the former Soviet republic.
Russian Foreign Ministry disagrees with NATO Council statement blaming Russia for military escalation in Crimea http://t.co/8VsxvOL0xV
— MFA Russia (@mfa_russia) March 3, 2014
President Obama warned Russia again it faced worldwide
isolation by its actions but it wasn’t too late to withdraw and respect
the 1994 Budapest pact that saw the US, UK and Russia sign a security
assurance that saw Ukraine dismantle its nuclear weapons in exchange for
protection of the integrity of its border.“I think the world is largely united in recognising the steps Russia has taken are a violation of Ukrainian sovereignty ... a violation of international law,” President Obama said adding sanctions were being drawn up now.
“The strong condemnation that Russia has received around the world indicates the degree to which Russia is on the wrong side of history,” he said.
“There are two paths that Russia can take at this point. Actions on the ground in Crimea are deeply troubling but what is also true is that over time, this will be a costly proposition for Russia. Now is the time to consider whether they can further their interests with diplomacy as opposed to force.”
@BreakingNews @Reuters Tomorrow they will seize your country and say it's just a military exercise... #Russia #Putin pic.twitter.com/47AWCo2y4i
— Poker in Moscow (@ruspoker) March 3, 2014
In justifying the continued deployment of troops on the
sovereign soil of another, Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov
reiterated that “radicals” had taken over the town in Ukraine and Russia
had to protect its citizens.“I reiterate we are talking here about the protection of our citizens and compatriots, about protection of the most fundamental of the human rights — the right to live and nothing more,” he said.
He dismissed claims by the US and others that Russia’s movement was an act of aggression, as well as threats of sanctions saying it was the West that was encouraging authorities in Kiev to declare ultimatums and ignore the fears of Russians living in the east and south of the country.
EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton will meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Madrid later today and travel to Kiev on Wednesday
Amazing scene of ukraine navy vessel surrounded by Russian flagged tugs & blocked by Russian warships In Sevastopol pic.twitter.com/pH4DhRHW3M
— William Booth (@BoothWilliam) March 3, 2014
TENSE WARSHIP STANDOFFFour Russian navy ships in Sevastopol’s harbour were blocking Ukraine’s corvette Ternopil and the command ship Slavutych, Ukrainian authorities said.
Acting president Oleksandr Turchynov said commanders and crew were “ready to defend their ships ... They are defending Ukraine.”
Standing their ground ... Ukrainian seamen stand guard on a Ukrainian navy ship at harbour of Sevastopol, Ukraine.
Source: AP
Ukraine’s prime minister admitted his country had “no military options on the table’’ to reverse Russia’s military move into its Crimea region. Pro-Russian soldiers surrounded Ukrainian military facilities on the peninsula, completing a military takeover without firing a single shot.
Despite what Russian Defense Ministry says, those of us who were there heard this ship deliver ultimatum to Slavutych pic.twitter.com/fuf0enF19O
— Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) March 3, 2014
Russian soldiers controlled all Crimean border posts this
morning, as well as all military facilities in the territory. Troops
also controlled a ferry terminal in the Ukrainian city of Kerch, just 20
kilometres across the water from Russia. That intensified fears in Kiev
that Moscow will send even more troops into the peninsula via that
route.Border guard spokesman Sergei Astakhov said the Russians were demanding that Ukrainian soldiers and guards transfer their allegiance to Crimea’s new pro-Russian local government.
“The Russians are behaving very aggressively,’’ he said. “They came in by breaking down doors, knocking out windows, cutting off every communication.’’
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin was accused of acting in Crimea much like Adolf Hitler did in central and eastern Europe in the late 1930s.
“What’s happening in Ukraine is history repeating itself,’’ former Czech foreign minister Karel Schwarzenberg said in an interview with Austrian daily Osterreich.
“Putin is acting along the same principle as Adolf Hitler’’ did during his invasions of Austria, Czechoslovakia and Poland in 1938 and 1939, he said.
Mr Putin asked Russia’s parliament on Saturday to allow him to send troops to Ukraine to protect ethnic Russians in Crimea and elsewhere in south-eastern regions of the ex-Soviet country, which has ancient historical and cultural ties to Moscow.
El gobierno ruso lanzó un ultimátum de 12 horas a Ucrania para rendirse en Crimea http://t.co/2V532dv6BU pic.twitter.com/dIwp21Q1EE
— infobae (@infobae) March 3, 2014
“Since he wanted to invade Crimea, he needed a pretext and
said that his compatriots were oppressed,’’ the 76-year-old Mr
Schwarzenberg said, adding that Russians in Crimea, where they are a
majority, were not facing any discrimination.“When Hitler wanted to annex Austria, he said that Germans there were oppressed,’’ he said.
Europe should “clearly tell him that this is a violation of law that will not pass,’’ said Mr Schwarzenberg, who served as Czech foreign minister from 2007-2009 and 2010-2013.
It’s Vladolf ... activists hold a
poster featuring Russian President Vladimir Putin as Nazi dictator Adolf
Hitler during a protest in Vienna. AFP PHOTO/DIETER NAGL
Source: AFP
Austria was annexed into the Third Reich in March 1938.
Ironically, Russia’s ambassador to Australia on Monday accused the Ukrainian government of acting like “Neo-Nazis” over the issue.
Comment on this story
