Crisis in Ukraine
Tension and fears are mounting
OSCE observers negotiate with an armed guard at a checkpoint heading to Crimea.
On Friday, pro-Russian troops reportedly tried to smash open the gates of a Ukrainian base. Russia's navy trapped Ukrainian ships. And armed men refused to allow military observers from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe to enter Ukraine's Crimea region.
On Saturday, Moscow chastised the OSCE. Condemn violence by demonstrators in Kiev that led to the ouster of Ukraine's former President first, the foreign ministry said, according to a report in state-run news agency RIA Novosti.
Then think about Crimea.
"Some OSCE members and executive bodies have acted in the worst traditions of double standards while dealing with the situation in Ukraine," the ministry reportedly said.
U.S. President Barack Obama has suggested a solution to the Crimea crisis to Russian President Vladimir Putin that would replace Russian troops with international monitors, who would protect ethnic Russians, should they be threatened.
Russian lawmakers have welcomed Crimean separatists with open arms, and Putin has said he would use force to protect ethnic Russians in Ukraine, if needed.
CNN teams are in Ukraine and Crimea as well as Moscow, Washington and other centers of power. Check below for updates of news as it breaks and read our comprehensive full story here.
And here are some other pieces that break down what is happening:
- 5 possible directions in Ukraine crisis
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Sanctions a sticking point between U.S., Europe
- How Ukraine is divided
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On the ground in Crimea: Relaxed but eerie
For a Russian invasion, it all feels very strange. The vibe on the ground in Crimea ebbs and flows from feeling like an eerie standoff to relaxed normalcy.
Crimea has become the flashpoint in a geopolitical crisis that's got London, Washington, the U.N. and NATO flustered. But so far, there isn't much of a dust up in the actual place where the troops invaded.
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Opinion: A divided Ukraine? Think againA Russian-speaking Ukrainian gives her take on the notion of a nation divided.Maia Mikhaluk is a freelance photographer and Christian ministry worker in Ukraine. She has been participating in protests in the country ever since former President Viktor Yanukovych reversed a decision to sign a trade deal with the European Union and instead turned toward Russia, a move that sparked mass demonstrations in the country's capital, Kiev.
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20 questions: What is Russia's interest in Ukraine?
Russia approved the use of military force in Ukraine on Saturday, despite warnings of consequences from the West, and Ukraine responded by saying any invasion into its territory would be illegitimate.
The acting prime minister has gone so far as to say that a Russian invasion would mean war and an end to his country's relationship with Russia.
But there are so many questions as to how Ukraine arrived at this point: Why is Russia so interested in happenings there? Why does the West want to prevent Russian intervention? How did we get here? Why have thousands of protesters staked their lives, seemingly, on their desire for political change? And why has the government resisted their calls so vehemently?
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Ukraine crisis: Russia stands firm despite rebukes, threats of sanctions
Russia showed no signs of backing down Monday even as world leaders threatened sanctions and sternly rebuked the country for sending troops into Ukraine.
At an emergency U.N. Security Council meeting to discuss the unfolding crisis, Ukraine's envoy asked for help, saying that Russia had used planes, boats and helicopters to flood the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea with 16,000 troops in the past week.
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Putin saying he reserves right to do whatever necessary in East of country if people there also feel it's necessary, -@PhilBlackCNN #Ukraineby New Day via twitter retweeted by fpleitgenCNN 3/4/2014 11:14:40 AM -
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“We have decided to organize the work of the Russian federation ... the regions, in order to provide humanitarian assistance to Crimea. I can't say how much and which sources, because regions bordering with the Crimea are working on this. About the use of military, there is no need for this so far, but there is such a possibility” -- Russian President Vladimir Putin.
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“As to whether this current authorities is legitimate, the parliament, partly yes, but the rest of them are not. The executive -- the acting president, of course, is not legitimate. The legitimate president is only Yanukovych” -- Russian President Vladimir Putin.
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“One of the entrances to this Ukrainian
military base north of Sevastopol. Sign says 'no to war.' Wives of
soldiers are here to voice their support for the Ukrainian soldiers and give
them food and refreshments. The commander of the base has told us they were
given a noon deadline to surrender. Deadline has passed. Nothing yet ...” –
CNN’s Ben Wedeman. -
Only people living in Crimea can determine their future, President #Putin said today. See @PhilBlackCNN 's analysis: cnn.it/1mS496Zby New Day via twitter retweeted by fpleitgenCNN 3/4/2014 11:47:40 AM
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President Vladimir Putin: Russia doesn't consider adding Crimea to its territory rt.com/news/putin-sta…by MFA Russia via twitter 3/4/2014 11:48:32 AM -
Infographic: #Russia and #Ukriane 's #military strength compared
ara.tv/5zzbu #Crimea http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bh4XW3VCcAEktbm.jpgby Al Arabiya English via twitter retweeted by fpleitgenCNN 3/4/2014 11:49:59 AM -
#Lavrov : Russia acts in Sevastopol in line with Black Sea fleet deployment agreement en.itar-tass.com/russia/722020 #Ukraineby MFA Russia via twitter 3/4/2014 12:32:23 PM
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#Lavrov : US and EU trying to dissolve agreement on Ukrainian crisis settlement voiceofrussia.com/news/2014_03_0…by MFA Russia via twitter 3/4/2014 12:35:17 PM
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#Lavrov : Moscow and Tunisia to intensify political cooperation on fighting terrorism voiceofrussia.com/2014_03_04/Mos… @AmbRusTunby MFA Russia via twitter 3/4/2014 12:40:13 PM
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by Christine Romans via twitter retweeted by JimAcostaCNN 3/4/2014 12:42:28 PM -
View from Wall StreetStocks are soaring today, with investors apparently less fearful of a military conflict.The Dow is up about 200 points at 10:50 a.m. ET and the S&P 500 rose to an all-time high, according to CNNMoney. -
Diplomacy updateUkraine and Russia are talking to each other, Ukraine's acting prime minister says.Arseniy Yatsenyuk said live on Ukraine's Parliament TV that cabinet ministers from the two countries had started consultations.The talks are going "rather slowly," he said. It's not immediately clear where the talks are happening.
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What Kerry took with him to UkraineWhile we're waiting for Kerry to speak, here's what the White House said of the pledges the U.S. is making.On Sec Kerry's visit to #Ukraine , US announces support, including technical assistance, $1 billion in loan guarantees whitehouse.gov/the-press-offi…Mar. 4, 2014
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Kerry's news conferenceKerry starts his news conference talking of the power and the poignancy of his visit to Independence Square in Kiev, where people told him of their lives and desires.
Earlier today: John Kerry visits the barricades from the Kiev protests."These brave Ukrainians took to the streets in order to stand peacefully against tyranny ... But snipers picked them off," Kerry said.
The United States "reaffirms our commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity under international law," Kerry said and condemned what he called Russia's aggression in Crimea.
He accused Russia of making up reasons for intervention in Ukraine, saying "not a single piece of credible evidence supports any one of these claims."
"There is a better way for Russia" to address concerns, he said.
Kerry says that the United States would prefer that the situation "de-escalate," but said if that did not happen, "our partners will have absolutely no choice (but) to join us to continue to expand on steps we have taken in recent days to isolate Russia diplomatically, politically and economically."
"The United States will stand by the Ukrainian people as they build the strong democratic country they deserve,” he said.
"We must all step up and answer their call," he said.Now he's taking questions.
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Obama weighs in
President Obama said there's a "strong belief" in the international community that Russia's action violate international law.
"President Putin seems to have a different set of lawyers making a different set of interpretations, but I don’t think that's fooling anybody," he said.
“Together, the international community has condemned Russia’s violation of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine," Obama said at an event to introduce his budget.
"We’ve condemned their intervention in Crimea and we are calling for a de-escalation of the situation and international monitors that can go into the country right away. Above all, we believe that the Ukrainian people should be able to decide their own future."Above all, we believe that the Ukrainian people should be able to decide their own future.
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View from the ground
CNN correspondent Matthew Chance, currently in Kiev, has a great point of view on the statements made today by Russian and U.S. leaders, particularly the warnings that Russia would be isolated if it does not de-escalate the tension.
"How do you isolate diplomatically a country which has a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council? How do you isolate a country economically which is the biggest energy supplier in the world and supplies Ukraine, for instance, with 80% of its energy and Western Europe with a good 40% of its natural gas?" he asked.
He said there were no signs that Russia was loosening its hold on Crimea.
"There is a lot of rhetoric calling on Russia to do certain things. What I'm seeing ... is no real sense in which the Kremlin, Vladimir Putin, is going to be prepared - at this stage at least - to give an inch. He's got all the cards. Nobody is going to challenge him militarily. Not the Ukrainians, definitely not NATO and the United States." -
Independence Square in Kiev is a shrine to the dead and an inspiration to those who live for change in Ukraine. There are still hundreds of protesters there, Anderson Cooper reports. They vow they will not leave until the things they fought for come to pass. -
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Ukraine - Military CoupRussian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych was overthrown in a military coup."Yesterday, the president of Russia explained our views," Lavrov said. "The problem is that international community failed to react to the anti-government protests which were contrary to the laws and the ... breaking the constitution of Ukraine. There was a military coup."
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France warns Russia could face EU sanctions over Ukraine crisis
The European Union will consider sanctions against Russia if there is no deescalation in the Ukraine crisis, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said Wednesday.
Possible sanctions will be on the agenda when EU leaders meet Thursday, he said via Twitter.
Yuli Mamchun, the commander of the Ukrainian military garrison at the Belbek air base near Sevastopol, Ukraine, salutes on March 4. -
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Lavrov - Forces in Crimea
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov echoed President Vladimir Putin's denial that Russian troops are in control in Crimea, saying that the troops in question are "self-defense" forces over whom Russia has no control.
Decisions on whether international observers should be sent into Ukraine are for leaders in the country to make, he said. He pointed out that the newly installed pro-Russian government in Crimea does not see the authorities in Kiev as legitimate.
"This problem is multi-faceted. In order to calm the situation down everyone must act in accordance with the law," he said Wednesday.
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Hague: 'Every diplomatic effort' to get Ukraine-Russia meeting
British Foreign Affairs Secretary William Hague arrives at the Elysee presidential palace in Paris on Wednesday.by Jason.Hanna
As anticipated, Russia's top diplomat was absent Wednesday morning from multinational talks dealing with a 1994 treaty that was supposed to guarantee Ukraine's territorial integrity.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, British Foreign Minister William Hague and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Deshchytsia met in Paris on Wednesday morning for talks on the 1994 Budapest Memorandum. In that treaty, Ukraine agreed to give up nuclear weapons, and Russia, the United States and Britain agreed "to refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of Ukraine."
Russia's foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, is expected to come to Paris later in the day -- foreign ministers are meeting there for separate talks on Lebanon. Lavrov was in Spain on Wednesday morning, and a senior U.S. official told CNN's Elise Labott that Russia declined an invitation to attend the morning session in Paris.
But Kerry and Hague said they hoped to speak with Lavrov about Ukraine after he arrives in the afternoon.
"Regrettably (we're) missing one member, but we will be meeting hopefully this afternoon with that additional member," Kerry told reporters ahead of Wednesday morning's session.
"We will make every diplomatic effort today to bring Russia and Ukraine in direct contact," Hague said. "... We will try to create other opportunities later today." -
British Prime Minister David Cameron is seen in London in this March 3, 2014, file photo.by Jason.HannaBritish PM: Nothing off the tableBritish Prime Minister David Cameron told his country's House of Commons on Wednesday that "nothing should be off the table" in terms of economic or diplomatic steps that could be taken against Russia in the Ukraine crisis.Cameron, in his comments during a weekly "prime minister's questions" session, added: "What Russia has done is unacceptable."As we noted earlier, it would be difficult for Britain and the rest of the European Union -- especially while it recovers from financial troubles -- to impose economic sanctions against Russia, given how their economies are intertwined. -
More to come from Kerry, LavrovU.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will meet again in Paris Wednesday afternoon, likely within the hour, a senior U.S. State Department official told CNN's Elise Labott.The two are in Paris for a meeting on Lebanon but intend to meet with each other to discuss Ukraine.
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Reporter: U.N. envoy leaving Crimea after being trapped in cafeMore on the reported threat to U.N. envoy Robert Serry in Crimea: A reporter for British CNN affiliate ITV, James Mates, says that after the initial threat, gunmen blocked him and Serry in a cafe.Mates, who posted pictures of the pair at the cafe on his Twitter account, has tweeted that Serry is now on his way to an airport.To recap: The U.N. says armed men threatened Serry on Wednesday after he left a military facility in Crimea. The gunmen prevented Serry from leaving in his car, so Serry walked and stopped at a cafe, the U.N. said.Mates, on Twitter, said that he was with Serry in the cafe, and that "men in combat fatigues" were blocking the cafe door from the outside, preventing them from leaving. Eventually, according to Mates, Serry "agreed to go straight to the airport and end his mission in Crimea," and Serry was allowed to leave in a car as a crowd chanted "Russia, Russia."The United Nations hasn't said whether Serry has agreed to leave Crimea. Below are Mates' tweets:Very unpleasant incident over. Robert Serry said v happy to leave #crimea if it helped de escalate the situation.Mar. 5, 2014
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Robert Serry finally on his way to the airport, police having forced a way through an angry crowd. #crimeaMar. 5, 2014- Reply
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View of militia from inside coffee shop where UN envoy Robert Serry is blockaded inside pic.twitter.com/ojbAruMzyW
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UN special envoy Robert Serry with me in coffee shop. Outside local militia block the door. #Ukraine pic.twitter.com/pbotNqCG3i
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U.S. House panel to vote on Russia sanctions resolutionThe U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee will vote as early as Thursday on a resolution laying out proposed sanctions against Russia over the standoff in Ukraine, the panel's chairman, Rep. Ed Royce, told CNN.The measure would not carry the force of law, but would instead express House sentiment on Russia's military intervention in Ukraine's Crimea region and Royce expects support to be bipartisan, CNN's Deirdre Walsh writes.
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Honoring the fallen. Independence Square Kievby holmescnn via
Maidan Square this morning. Damp and foggy, but protesters still in placeby holmescnn via
Independence Square Kiev. Barricades in placeby holmescnn via
Independence Square Kiev. Barricades in placeby holmescnn via
Honoring the fallen. Independence Square Kievby holmescnn via
Honoring the fallen. Independence Square Kievby holmescnn via1 of 6
The scene in Ukraine's capitalA few hundred miles northwest of the Crimean peninsula, flowers, pictures and other items honor sit in the square in Ukraine's capital, Kiev, honoring those who were killed in demonstrations last month.CNN's Michael Holmes is in Kiev, where months of demonstrations eventually led to the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych. Abvove are some pictures that Holmes took today:
