Ukraine SITREP March 11, 13:50 EST (and some debunking) A Russia Scholar’s Views. To the Editor: Re “Russia Experts See Ranks Thin, and an Effect on U.S.
Policy” (news article, March 7): I protest the way my views and I were characterized in your article. I am called the “dissenting villain” in today’s media commentary on Ukraine who presents a “perspective closer to that of Mr. Putin.” This may have the effect (intended or not) of stigmatizing me and discrediting my views. For more than 40 years, I have taught thousands of undergraduates and trained scores of future Russia specialists at Princeton University and New York University.
Indeed, my current perspective is similar to what Henry A. I would go farther: The Ukrainian crisis, the worst and most fateful of the 21st century, is the outcome of Washington’s 20-year bipartisan policy toward post-Soviet Russia, spearheaded by NATO’s eastward expansion. In this regard, I am a true patriot of American national security — perhaps a heretic, but certainly not the “villain.”
STEPHEN F. U.S. Reveals Ukraine Regime Illegitimate » American University in Moscow. Amidst widespread news reports that Ukrainian president Victor Yanukovych was impeached, the U.S.
"Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty" has revealed that he was not. In a story titled "Was Yanukovych's Ouster Constitutional? " the U.S. international broadcaster documented that the efforts to impeach him fell short of the constitutionally required vote. The RFE/RL story reports that "A majority of 328 lawmakers of the 450-seat parliament voted on February 22 to remove Yanukovych from power. " It goes on to observe that the constitution calls for "a review of the case by Ukraine's Constitutional Court and a three-fourths majority vote by the Verkhovna Rada -- i.e., 338 lawmakers. " That didn't stop world media outlets from reporting on Yanukovych's impeachment, though.
China paper slams West's Cold War mentality over Ukraine. EU leaders in Vilnius warn Russia over Eastern EuropeThe Lithuania Tribune. Please highlight any error in the text and then click on it with your left mouse button [to leave a suggestion] EU leaders’ statement at the end of Vilnius Summit | Photo by R.
Dačkus EU leaders on Friday warned Russia not to impede the pro-European policies of Eastern European and Caucasus countries. As the Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius is coming to an end, European Council President Herman Van Rompuy said Russia’s treatment of Eastern partners is inconsistent with international relations in Europe in the 21st century. “The actions taken by Russia vis-a-vis the Eastern partners are incompatible with how international relations should function on our continent in the 21st century,” Van Rompuy told journalists in Vilnius on Friday. In his words, Russia would benefit from association agreements between the EU and Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova as it would help to modernise the economies. “We had it made abundantly clear and I just made it that this is not a zero sum game. Kiev snipers hired by Maidan leaders - leaked EU's Ashton phone tape. Breaking Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet and Catherine Ashton discuss Ukraine over the phone.
Da Russophile – Exposing Western myths about Russia. Does Putin really want Crimea within Russia? Maybe not. (+video) Just two days after Vladimir Putin insisted that Russia wasn't looking to annex the Russian-majority territory of Crimea, the script appears to have changed radically.
Skip to next paragraph Subscribe Today to the Monitor Click Here for your FREE 30 DAYS ofThe Christian Science MonitorWeekly Digital Edition The Russian-engineered Crimean parliament voted today to move forward a referendum on greater autonomy from Kiev. But instead of just calling for wider local powers, the new poll, to be held on March 16, will ask the question "Are you in favor of Crimea becoming a constituent territory of the Russian Federation? " The parliamentarians seem confident of a "yes" vote – they "unanimously" passed a resolution announcing Crimea's intention to join Russia, and declared the Ukrainian forces still in Crimean territory to be an "occupation force" who must leave or surrender.
Analysts say it's inconceivable that such a decision could have been taken without a green light from Moscow. Mr. Pro-Russian Protest Leader In Eastern Ukraine Said Taken To Kyiv. News - Top diplomats seek Ukraine solution in Paris talks. 5 March 2014Last updated at 15:49 ET The BBC's Ben Brown says Russian forces prevented him from speaking to Ukrainian staff at the gates Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has held talks with counterparts from the US and key EU states to try to resolve the crisis in Ukraine.
After the talks Mr Lavrov said it was agreed to continue discussions in the coming days but admitted that everyone was "concerned" at events. US Secretary of State John Kerry said the talks were "tough" but that there were some concrete ideas to work on. The EU earlier offered 11bn euros ($15bn; £9bn) of aid to Ukraine. European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said the package of loans and grants over the next couple of years was "designed to assist a committed, inclusive and reforms-oriented government" in Kiev. Continue reading the main story Analysis Matthew PriceBBC News, Brussels In return for its billions, the EU wants an inclusive government in Ukraine. As for the money, some 600m euros is already there.