Crimean conflict turned into military stage as Russia annexed Crimea and killed first Ukrainian soldiers

Ukraine, Crimean Peninsula
(Image: Map of Ukraine)

Situation in Ukrainian Crimea continues to escalate despite the demand of Ukrainian government to withdraw Russian troops and increasing Western pressure and total refusal of the world to recognize the results of the illegitimate referendum held on Sunday in Crimea.

Russia continues to increase its military presence deploying new troops and heavy military technique to Crimea and along the borders with Ukraine, as Ukrainian military deployed its forces to protect the borders and territories of Ukraine and stop Russian military aggression.

Ukrainian revolution continues as negotiations are in a deadlock

On the barricades in Ukrainian capital
(Image: Reuters)

Ukraine is witnessing a real revolution as protests are spreading outside of Kyiv, and people all over Ukraine are seizing regional offices and declaring People’s Councils to represent people’s power there.

After the second round of talks held between the oppositional leaders Vitaly Klichko, Arseny Yatsenyuk and Oleg Tyagnybok, and Yanukovich and his team failed, as Yanukovich is unwilling to hear the people’s demands, oppositional leaders and protesters have taken decision to leave the negotiations’ process and to continue fight for Ukrainian freedom and rights. The leaders though urged protesters to remain only peaceful and to preserve strict discipline. The territory of Euromaidan was also fortified with the new stronger and bigger barricades, tires are being burned in front of the riot police lines, and protesters are ready for the possible storming and dispersal.

Ukrainian President met with Russian colleague in Moscow. Opposition demands the results of talks to be published

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President
Victor Yanukovich during the Moscow meeting
(Image: Korrespondent)

Ukrainian current President Victor Yanukovich arrived in Moscow on Tuesday, 17 December, for participation in the early planned meetings to be held during 17-18 December. Victor Yanukovich has met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in order to discuss some aspects of cooperation and strategic partnership, according to the press service of Russian President.

During the Tuesday’s meeting 14 documents and agreements have been signed by Victor Yanukovich and Vladimir Putin. The talks have been closed, and there were no journalists invited to cover them.

Ukrainian President refused to talk to reporters and journalists after the official meeting, but Vladimir Putin made several statements regarding the meeting. Commenting on the results of the recent meeting Vladimir Putin was talking mostly about benefits Ukraine will get, such as increase of export of Ukrainian production to Russia and countries members of Custom Union, creating of new working places and saving the existing ones etc. Mr. Putin didn’t talk though about Russian benefits.

Stefan Füle: EU suspends negotiations with Ukraine over Association Agreement

Stefan Fule, EU Commissioner for Enlargement and
Neighborhood Policy
(Image: Reuters)

EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy Stefan Füle declared on Sunday, 15 December, that EU suspends negotiations’ process and preparation for the signing of Association Agreement with Ukraine. European official posted this statement also on his Twitter page.

According to Mr. Füle the main reason for this decision are huge discrepancies and differences between the words and statements of Ukrainian government regarding the process of European integration and their actual steps and deeds.

Ukrainian President stated in his interview that there will be no signing of the Association Agreement with EU this week

Victor Yanukovich, Ukrainian President
(Image: President's official website)

After Monday’s addressing the people of Ukraine Ukrainian President Victor Yanukovich has met with several journalists in order to give them the promised interview, answer the questions and explain the details of the recent decisions of the government regarding the suspending of the process of preparing to the signing of the Association Agreement with the countries of EU.

In his Monday’s speech President has reassured Ukrainian citizens and international community following the events in Ukraine that the political course for European integration remains stable and hasn’t been changed. “There is no alternative to the Europeans way of developing the country”, stated President.

But during his wide interview given to journalist Ukrainian President announced that he is not planning to sign the Association and Free Trade Agreement with EU during the Summit of Eastern European Partnership planned to be held in Vilnius on 28-29 November.