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| Massive rallies in Kyiv Maidan (Independence Square) (Image: National Post) |
Situation in Ukrainian Crimea, occupied by Russian military troops and
controlled by the self-proclaimed pro-Russian puppet Parliament and government,
remains tense, as Russia refuses to de-escalate situation, and Crimean
authorities insist on holding illegitimate “referendum” about potential joining
Russia.
Despite the continuous demands of Ukrainian government to immediately withdraw
the troops and military technique from Ukrainian territory and growing
international pressure, Russia continues to increase its military presence in
Crimea and also along the Ukrainian-Russian borders, deploying new troops and
military technique on the eve of the Crimean “referendum”, scheduled for
Sunday, 16 March. Ukrainian military bases and soldiers remain under Russian
siege, as there were no commands fro Ukrainian Armed Forces to respond with
force. In addition to that Russian troops are moving towards mainland Ukraine,
as a group of Russian paratroopers has landed in Kherson region, but was
prevented by Ukrainian soldiers.
The “referendum” in Crimea was declared illegitimate by Ukrainian
government and international community, and none of the countries in the world
except of Russia is going to recognize it. OSCE, EU and other international organizations
have officially declared that they will not send their observers to monitor the
poll as this “referendum” cannot be legitimate and won’t represent the will of
Crimean people.
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| Massive rally in support of Ukrainian integrity and unity in Kharkiv (Image: Daily News of Egypt) |
Ukrainian High Constitutional Court has declared earlier total
illegitimacy of the Crimean referendum, as there is no possibility of holding a
regional referendum over the issues of Constitutional and legal status of
specific territories. In addition to that, referendum cannot be held under the
conditions of foreign military intervention and occupation, not to mention
extremely short period of time before the polls.
European Council’s Venice Commission has also stated on Saturday after
reviewing the case, that referendum in Crimea is illegitimate and contradicts
not only Ukrainian Constitution and laws, but also international law and norms.
Leader of Mejlis of Crimea Tatars Refat Chubarov has called on Crimeans
to boycott this referendum and to stay calm, avoiding provocations and
confrontations. Ex-Head of Mejlis Mustafa Jemilev, who had earlier a meeting
with Putin, has also called to boycott the referendum, and he also addressed to
the international community to support Ukraine. Mr. Jemilev also addressed on
NATO and UN to deploy their peacekeeping troops and support Ukraine due to an
increasing Russian military aggression and a serious threat of a full-scale
war-conflict.
Ukrainian Parliament has gathered on Saturday for the session over the
current situation in Ukraine and Crimea and voted for official dismissal of
Crimean parliament due to its separatist and anti-Constitutional policies and
activities. It’s worth mentioning also, that Ukrainian General Prosecution has
opened several criminal cases regarding separatist attempts in Ukraine,
including Crimea. Thus, 278 MPs of Ukrainian Parliament have voted for
dismissal of Crimean Parliament and demanded also cancelling of the referendum.
Crimean Parliament though refused to recognize this decision and stated that
referendum will be held.
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| Massive anti-war and pro-Ukrainian rally held in Moscow (Image: Russia Today) |
Russia also supports the upcoming referendum claiming that it has no intentions
of annexing of some of Ukrainian territories, but people’s will shown after
referendum is important for taking the further decisions. Spokesperson of
Russian President Mr. Peskov even stated that Russian authorities don’t expect
having serious economic and political troubles over the Crimean issue, and he
also added that there are hopes that relationships between Russia and Western
countries won’t be damaged over Ukraine, as both Russia and West are dependent
on each other, according to the Presidential office.
Though despite these statements Russia remains on the same position
refusing to de-escalate the situation and only deteriorating it. Massive and
violent clashes erupted during the recent days in the cities of South-Eastern
Ukraine (Kharkiv, Donetsk, Lugansk) were good planned provocations organized by
pro-Russian forces in attempt to destabilize situation in the region and to
justify Russian invasion for “protection” of citizens. Russian Ministry of
Foreign Affairs has already published a statement indicating Russian readiness
to interfere in Southern-Eastern Ukraine due to the alleged requests of people
from regions.
As for Crimea, Russian government has promised the region huge financial
support one day ago, but on Saturday the government declared that Russia will
not send to Crimea the promised $ 1 billion of financial aid, but will help and
consult on how to manage the region’s budget.
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| Massive rally to support Ukraine in Moscow (Image: Euromaidan Facebook Community) |
Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in its turn has issued an official
resolution declaring Russian military presence and aggression in Ukraine and
demanding an immediate withdrawal, as Ukraine has the right to use all the
possible measures in order to defend the country and its integrity and
sovereignty.
Massive pro-Ukrainian rallies are being held in many Ukrainian cities
including Southern and Eastern governorates. Thousands of people gather to
express their position and to support unity of Ukraine, though the meetings in
eastern Ukraine become more and more dangerous due to the numerous pro-Russian
provocateurs attacking the marches. It’s worth mentioning also that a meeting
against the upcoming referendum has been held on Saturday in Crimean Simferopol
as well.
Huge anti-war and pro-Ukrainian rallies have been held on Saturday also
in Russia, in many cities including Moscow, St. Petersburg, Samara, Yekaterinburg
and others, with people supporting Ukraine, its integrity, independence and
choice and protesting against the policies of Russian authorities regarding
Ukraine and Crimea. Moscow has gathered an unprecedented rally attended by
nearly 50-70 thousand people holding Ukrainian and Russian flags and chanting against
war and in support of Ukraine. Eyewitnesses and journalists were impressed by
this rally. Russian officials though have estimated the numbers as 2-3
thousand, despite the numerous photo- and video-evidences.
Western countries including EU, Great Britain and USA continue their
pressure on Russia in order to convince Putin to de-escalate the situation in
Crimea and to start negotiations, though the hopes for the diplomatic solution
of crisis are fading. EU is preparing new, wider and harsher sanctions against
Russian high officials, while USA has already imposed sanctions and is working
on the additional measures. It’s worth mentioning also, that US Armed Forces along
with NATO have declared earlier their support of Ukrainian case and stated the
military option is also on the table, if Russia will continue its policies.
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| UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine and Crimean crisis (Image: UN official website) |
Ukrainian government in its turn has addressed international community
including EU, UN, NATO to interfere and support Ukraine and to help to stop
Russian aggression using all the possible political, diplomatic, economic and
even military measures, so, NATO has official right to deploy its troops on the
territory of Ukraine on the request of the government and Parliament.
Meanwhile, UN Security Council has held its seventh meeting over
Ukrainian crisis, where it was expected to support UN Resolution on Ukraine and
Crimea aimed to peacefully and democratically resolve the current crisis and
support Ukraine. Though the Resolution was declined, as Russia has used its
veto right and vetoed the resolution, becoming the only one country taking such
a decision. Western diplomats and officials stated later that Russia is in
total isolation, and its today’s veto distances it more from the international
community and the possibility to resolve the conflict peacefully. US
Representative in UN Security Council Samantha Power has stated that Russia has
put itself with this decision actually beyond the international law and norms
and rejected the possibility of peaceful resolving the crisis. Russia will not annex
Crimea, as Crimea was and will remain Ukrainian territory, stated Mrs. Power,
and Russian current policies will have serious consequences for the state. US
Senator John McCain in his turn, has declared that Ukraine needs US military
support due to an increasing threat of Russian military operation.
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