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7 Mar 2014
Ukraine tensions still high after Crimeas parliament sets referendum on joining Russia
FXStreet (Łódź) - Ukrainian tensions continue high on Friday following yesterday's announcements of sanctions on Russia from the EU and the US. Barack Obama also held a telephone conversation with Vladimir Putin, which hadn't led to any conclusions. The Russia president commented afterwards that actions in Crimea were “in full compliance with the international law “ and a response to new Ukrainian government's “absolutely illegitimate decisions on the eastern, southeastern and Crimea regions.”
Crimea's parliament voted yesterday in favor of the region's joining the Russian Federation and a date for a referendum on the issue was set for 16 March. On Friday Russia’s upper house of parliament chief Valentina Matviyenko said that if Crimea's resident's chose to leave Ukraine, their decision would be backed.
Kiev calls referendum "illegitimate"
Ukraine’s interim prime minister Arseny Yatseniuk called the planned referendum "illegitimate" and urged Russia to work together with Ukraine on a peaceful solution to the situation in Crimea.
"We urge the Russian government to pull back its military into barracks, not to support an illegitimate so-called government of Crimea and to start real talks and negotiations of the peaceful solution," he said, adding that "Crimea was, is, and will be an integral part of Ukraine."
Meanwhile, air defense excercises have begun in Kapustin Yar, about 450 kilometers from the Ukranian border. According to the spokesman of Russia’s Western Military District Col. Oleg Kochetkov, these are the largest-ever air defence drills conducted there, although he assured it was a part of regular training.
India sees legitimate Russian interests in Ukraine
While all G8 nations apart from Russia condemned its actions in Ukraine, the G20 group was not as united. Yesterday India suggested that “there are legitimate Russian and other interests involved” in Ukraine, although it expressed hope the situatuin would be solved in a peaceful manner.
Other countries with close economic links to Russia, such as China and South Africa released more neuthral statements in which the hadn't condemned Moscow's moves but they did't criticize them either.
Yanukovych might find himself on Interpol's red notice
Meanwhile, the Interpol released a statement on Thursday saying that it was considering Ukraine's request to issue an arrest warrant for the ousted Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych,
"A request by Ukrainian authorities for an Interpol Red Notice, or international wanted persons alert, for the arrest of Viktor Yanukovich on charges including abuse of power and murder has been received," the international police agency informed.
Crimea's parliament voted yesterday in favor of the region's joining the Russian Federation and a date for a referendum on the issue was set for 16 March. On Friday Russia’s upper house of parliament chief Valentina Matviyenko said that if Crimea's resident's chose to leave Ukraine, their decision would be backed.
Kiev calls referendum "illegitimate"
Ukraine’s interim prime minister Arseny Yatseniuk called the planned referendum "illegitimate" and urged Russia to work together with Ukraine on a peaceful solution to the situation in Crimea.
"We urge the Russian government to pull back its military into barracks, not to support an illegitimate so-called government of Crimea and to start real talks and negotiations of the peaceful solution," he said, adding that "Crimea was, is, and will be an integral part of Ukraine."
Meanwhile, air defense excercises have begun in Kapustin Yar, about 450 kilometers from the Ukranian border. According to the spokesman of Russia’s Western Military District Col. Oleg Kochetkov, these are the largest-ever air defence drills conducted there, although he assured it was a part of regular training.
India sees legitimate Russian interests in Ukraine
While all G8 nations apart from Russia condemned its actions in Ukraine, the G20 group was not as united. Yesterday India suggested that “there are legitimate Russian and other interests involved” in Ukraine, although it expressed hope the situatuin would be solved in a peaceful manner.
Other countries with close economic links to Russia, such as China and South Africa released more neuthral statements in which the hadn't condemned Moscow's moves but they did't criticize them either.
Yanukovych might find himself on Interpol's red notice
Meanwhile, the Interpol released a statement on Thursday saying that it was considering Ukraine's request to issue an arrest warrant for the ousted Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych,
"A request by Ukrainian authorities for an Interpol Red Notice, or international wanted persons alert, for the arrest of Viktor Yanukovich on charges including abuse of power and murder has been received," the international police agency informed.