Happy St Pat’s Day – follow the news in Ireland on this special day

Crimea applies for union with Russia day after it votes to separate from Ukraine

US and EU could impose sanctions on Russia if talks do not go well over the Crimean situation.

BBC diplomatic correspondent James Robbins says that London is now the stage for a revival of Cold War tensions.

Increased air patrols around the borders of Crimea and Russia by NATO

 

 

 

Violence escalates in Donetsk among demonstrators

Russian aircraft carrier to perform “exercises” in area

Ukraine says that to take military action in Crimea will weaken the military along Russian border and leave them vulnerable to invasion

Sunday will see a vote on secession of Crimea from Ukraine and join Russia – Ukraine calls it a sham.

Ukraine states Russia will not enter into diplomatic talks with them.

More military “exercises” called for by Putin -largest in 20 years

 

 

President Putin tells a news conference that events in Kiev amount to an anti-constitutional coup and armed seizure of power, but Russia will only use force as a last resort.(BBC)

 

Asked if Russian forces took part in operations in Crimea, President Putin says: “No, they did not participate,” adding: “There are lots of uniforms that look similar.” (AFP)

“Our actions are often described by the West as not legitimate, but look at US operations in Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya. “Our actions are legitimate from the point of view of international law, because Ukraine’s legitimate president asked us for help. “Defending these people is in our interests, this is a humanitarian mission, we do not want to ‘enslave’ anyone.” (BBC Monitoring).

Mr Putin says Russia reserves the right to intervene if there is “lawlessness” in Russian-speaking areas of eastern Ukraine

The formal basis for NATO-Ukraine relations is the 1997 Charter on a Distinctive Partnership, which established the NATO-Ukraine Commission (NUC). Successive governments reinforced the political dialogue and practical cooperation between NATO and Ukraine. NATO supports a range of initiatives in Ukraine, while Ukraine contributes to NATO’s missions in Afghanistan and Kosovo, and in 2013 became the first partner country to contribute to the NATO-led counter-piracy operation Ocean Shield.

Following recent developments, on 27 February 2014, NATO Defence Ministers stated that “a sovereign, independent and stable Ukraine, firmly committed to democracy and the rule of law, is key to Euro-Atlantic security.” This echoes a key point made in the 1997 Charter. Defence Ministers added that “NATO Allies will continue to support Ukrainian sovereignty and independence, territorial integrity, democratic development, and the principle of inviolability of frontiers, as key factors of stability and security in Central and Eastern Europe and on the continent as a whole.” – (taken from NATO website http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/topics_37750.htm)

 

 

 

 

 

The latest on NATO and the Ukrainian situation

1. Russian ambassador to US has been recalled

2. Russian troops and Ukranian troops begin mass mobilization process

3. Putin gets the go ahead from Russian parliament

For the latest click  Moscow Times

Ukraine president ousted/fled Saturday – Russia is accussed of having a hand in it and performing large military “practice”  near border. Ukraine parliament in Crimean area seized by armed Crimeans flying Russian flag.

News clip