14:51
29.3.2014
From our news desk. More on the Crimean Tatars pushing for autonomy.
The leader of Crimean Tatar community says he wants autonomy for the peninsula's 300,000-strong indigenous Muslim minority.
Refat Chubarov was addressing hundreds of delegates gathered in Bakhchisaray Saturday to decide whether to hold a referendum among Crimean Tatars to determine their future.
Chubarov asked the delegates to approve “the start of political and legal procedures aimed at creating ethnic and territorial autonomy of the Crimean Tatars of their historic territory of Crimea."
Russia annexed Crimea earlier this month, after residents of peninsula voted overwhelmingly to split from Ukraine following the ousting in February of Ukraine's pro-Russian president, Viktor Yanukovych.
Crimean Tatars largely boycotted the vote, which the West said was illegitimate.
Refat Chubarov was addressing hundreds of delegates gathered in Bakhchisaray Saturday to decide whether to hold a referendum among Crimean Tatars to determine their future.
Chubarov asked the delegates to approve “the start of political and legal procedures aimed at creating ethnic and territorial autonomy of the Crimean Tatars of their historic territory of Crimea."
Russia annexed Crimea earlier this month, after residents of peninsula voted overwhelmingly to split from Ukraine following the ousting in February of Ukraine's pro-Russian president, Viktor Yanukovych.
Crimean Tatars largely boycotted the vote, which the West said was illegitimate.
14:53
29.3.2014
Dobkin, pres candidate from ex-ruling @PartyOfRegions back in Jan posing w Berkut-riot-police accused of mass murders pic.twitter.com/DtsEwf2VOA
— Maxim Eristavi (@MaximEristavi) March 29, 2014
14:54
29.3.2014
Known as secessionist-in-chief,@mDobkin has been elected as the presidential candidate from ex-ruling @PartyOfRegions pic.twitter.com/SAyyVXHaZN
— Maxim Eristavi (@MaximEristavi) March 29, 2014
14:55
29.3.2014
Yuliya Timoshenko speaking at her party's rally in Sofievska Ploshcha earlier. Crowd was not overly animated. pic.twitter.com/cNayTPn2Uq
— Tim White (@TWMCLtd) March 29, 2014
14:58
29.3.2014
RT's report on Crimea's Prosecutor-General Natalya Poklonskaya:
15:02
29.3.2014
Here's a draft version on the Crimea Tatar "Self-Determination" clause principle up on the Kurultai. (1st page) pic.twitter.com/Mt3Di1Y220
— Ryskeldi Satke (@RyskeldiSatke) March 29, 2014
15:07
29.3.2014
Positioning before his planned talks with U.S. Secretary of State Kerry, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says Ukraine should have "non-bloc status" written into its constitution. Via ITAR-TASS:
PETRROPAVLOVSK KAMCHATSKY, March 29 (Itar-Tass) - A new constitution should clearly state the non-bloc status of Ukraine, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told Sergei Brilev's Vesti v Subbotu (News on Saturday) television programme on March 29.
He said this idea had been put forth in Russia's proposals concerning the settlement of the crisis in Ukraine. "This thesis is reflected in our proposals. We are convinced that a new constitution should clearly state the non-bloc status of Ukraine," the minister said.
"The Americans hear this. As to how much they understand this can be judged from their public statements. Last week in Brussels, President Barack Obama said that neither Ukraine nor NATO was prepared for this, and this issue should not be discussed now," Lavrov said, referring to calls for Ukraine's admission to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.
He said this idea had been put forth in Russia's proposals concerning the settlement of the crisis in Ukraine. "This thesis is reflected in our proposals. We are convinced that a new constitution should clearly state the non-bloc status of Ukraine," the minister said.
"The Americans hear this. As to how much they understand this can be judged from their public statements. Last week in Brussels, President Barack Obama said that neither Ukraine nor NATO was prepared for this, and this issue should not be discussed now," Lavrov said, referring to calls for Ukraine's admission to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.
15:10
29.3.2014
When Petro met Vitaly.
Кличко и Порошенко pic.twitter.com/NBvFtbNJ1d
— Feldman (@EvgenyFeldman) March 29, 2014
15:16
29.3.2014
Meanwhile, in the department of memorable healdines:
Dr. Iron Fist Bows Out of Ukraine Presidential Bout, Endorses Chocolate King http://t.co/R2cJRhja71 via @mashable
— Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) March 29, 2014
15:33
29.3.2014
It seems, surprise surprise, the White House and the Kremlin saw last night's big Putin-Obama phone call quite differently. Business Insider reports:
The White House and the Kremlin released two very different accounts of the two leaders' phone call on Friday. The White House emphasized the possibility of a diplomatic solution, noting that Obama pressed Putin and Russia to deliver a written response to the U.S.'s proposal for a diplomatic solution.
The Kremlin, meanwhile, focused on the "rampage of extremists." It also mentioned the two leaders discussed the breakaway region of Transnistria, which some have worried will be Putin's next target for a land grab. The White House neglected to mention this part of the conversation.
There was only one major facet the two readouts had in common: Both acknowledged that U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov would meet in the near future to discuss ways to stabilize the situation.
The Kremlin, meanwhile, focused on the "rampage of extremists." It also mentioned the two leaders discussed the breakaway region of Transnistria, which some have worried will be Putin's next target for a land grab. The White House neglected to mention this part of the conversation.
There was only one major facet the two readouts had in common: Both acknowledged that U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov would meet in the near future to discuss ways to stabilize the situation.