Russia - Ukraine - EU/West - Resource Links - Neutral ground

If at all Possible, I would like to see this thread used ONLY to post updates / links to updates without commenting (since we have enough threads for debating). That way we have one location for information / links, regardless of which side the information supports. Since this is a hot button issue I figure we can try to use this thread as neutral territory.

Below is an example of what I would like to see in this thread, respectfully. No comments / debates / etc. Just the link to the update / sources.

To get the ball somewhat rolling -

Russian justification

2200 GMT: The UNSC meeting is now closed – A quick analysis — Russia has finally spelled out exactly what its given justification for invading Crimea is. According to their logic:

The EU, the UK, and the US incited the protests and fueled the revolt.

Yanukovych signed a deal with the opposition politicians that would keep him in power until, at least, early elections in December.

The “armed militants” broke this agreement by taking over government buildings, therefore:
Yanukovych is the legitimate leader of Ukraine and the people in charge are radicals,
“Kiev,” the catchphrase for these radicals ho are now running the country, is sending provocateurs to takeover government buildings in Crimea (interjection — there is literally no evidence that this is true).

Therefore:
The government of Crimea has asked Russia to send troops to restore order, and Russia has done so unilaterally because the West helped conspire to remove a democratically-elected government and put these radicals in charge.

The bottom line: the international community needs to help remove the radicals and enforce the February 21st agreement (which, by the way, would require reinstating Yanukovych back as President).

If this is not done, Russian troops will defend Crimea, and possibly attack Kiev to make it happen.

The question of impeachment -
Parliament in Ukraine Impeaches President, Calls May 25 Vote
Secondary Source - RIA
Ukraine's 2004 Constitution reinstated under Ukrainian law.


Background Info:
The History of Crimea - Wikipedia - sources located at bottom of page
Crimea - Autonomous Republic of Crimea
Helsinki Accords (Final Act)
Helsinki Accords - Detailed info
2010 Kharkiv Pact - Russian Ukrainian Naval Base for Gas treaty - Crimea access


Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances (1994 Budapest Memorandum On Ukraine)

Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances is an international treaty signed on 5 December 1994 in the Hungarian capital Budapest by Ukraine, the United States of America, Russia, and the United Kingdom concerning the nuclear disarmament of Ukraine and its security relationship with the signatory countries.

According to the memorandum, Russia, the USA, and the UK confirmed, in recognition of Ukraine becoming party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and in effect abandoning its nuclear arsenal to Russia, that they would:

1.Respect Ukrainian independence and sovereignty within its existing borders.
2.Refrain from the threat or use of force against Ukraine.
3.Refrain from using economic pressure on Ukraine in order to influence its politics.
4.Seek United Nations Security Council action if nuclear weapons are used against Ukraine.
5.Refrain from the use of nuclear arms against Ukraine.
6.Consult with one another if questions arise regarding these commitments.[1]

2014 Crimean Crisis Information - Wikipedia with sources linked at bottom of page
2001 Census - Ukraine
CIA - World Factbook - Ukraine / Russia / United States - Armed forces breakdown
Janes 360


Other developments:
From - Messageforall - Reminder for anyone wanting to follow the situation up close, go to twitter and type in the search bard #Crimea. - Twitter Login

Canada recalls Ambassador from Russia
North Atlantic Council to consider situation in Ukraine on March 3 - acting foreign minister
UN Security Council expresses support for Ukraine's territorial integrity

Debate threads -
ATS - **BREAKING NEWS** Senator Suggests Recalling Russia Ambassador over Obama Speech - by deviant300
ATS - Russian Federation Council Agrees to Putin's Request for military intervention in Crimea - by MessageforAll
ATS - Ukraine asks U.N Security Council to protect it from Russia - by 13th Zodiac
ATS - Russian helicopters heading to Sevastopol, Ukraine - by MrMaybeNot
ATS - Obama to Make Announcement on Ukraine at 4:45 EST (Video & Transcript) - by freakjive
ATS - Russian tanks exhibited at entrance to Sevastopol, Ukraine - by asen_y2k


Media Resources -
United Nations News Service
RT News - Russia
ITAR-TASS - Russia
Pradva - Russia

AP News World - Western
BBC News - Western
CBC News - Western

Hurriyet Daily News - Turkey
PressTV - Iran
The Daily Star - Lebanon
China Daily (eng) - China

AlJazeera News - M.E.
Drudge Report - Western - Bottom left side of page is links to many media outlets across the globe

Consolidated list with links to Ukrainian Media
Consolidated list of Media outlets by country

Latest articles I've found.

Russian troop convoy on road to Crimea's capital

SIMFEROPOL, Ukraine – Associated Press journalists on Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula have seen a convoy of hundreds of Russian troops heading toward the regional capital, Simferopol.

On the road from Sevastopol, the Crimean port where Russia maintains a naval base, to Simferopol on Sunday morning, AP journalists saw 12 military trucks carrying troops, a Tiger vehicle armed with a machine gun and also two ambulances.

And

Ukrainian military resigning en masse in Crimea - reports

Ukrainian armed forces dispatched to Crimea have started resigning on a massive scale, reports RIA Novosti.

Living quarters, weapons and ammunition have all been left under the protection of the so-called ‘self-defense forces,’ according to Interfax sources.

Expect the RT link to be revised once more information is gathered.

The RT article in my above post has been revised now. Updated portions are below.

Since Thursday, the city’s Supreme Council and a number of other buildings have been occupied and guarded by the self-defense forces run by the local population.

Crimea’s deputy prime minister, Rustam Temirgaliev, announced earlier that the Ukrainian armed forces have all but surrendered their military capabilities and that no active units remain in the Crimea.

ETA - Ukraine is calling up all it's military reserves now

uk.news.yahoo.com...

Ukraine has placed its military on full combat alert and called up all its reserves after Russia gave the go-ahead to send more troops into the country.

West scrambles, Kiev braces as Putin threatens Ukraine war - Reuters - 03/02/2014 @ 03:45 AM

Update 4:57am US central time, al Jazeera live blog. Ukraine parliament calling for international monitors for protecting their nuclear power plants and citation of of a 1994 nuclear treaty in regards to Ukraine's safety.

live.aljazeera.com...

Ukraine's parliament called for international monitors to help protect its nuclear power plants

Hryhoriy Nemyria, a member of parliament, said the assembly appealed to the signatories of a 1994 nuclear treaty that guaranteed Ukraine's safety -- including the United States, the United Kingdom and Russia. [Reuters]

Ukraine’s Navy flagship, the Hetman Sahaidachny frigate, has reportedly refused to follow orders from Kiev, and come over to Russia’s side and is returning home after taking part in NATO operation in the Gulf of Aden flying the Russian naval flag.

rt.com...

BBC NEWS -

Live Text
Reporters: Alix Kroeger, Nina Lamparski and Jeremy Gahagan
Skip To Latest Live Text

11:16: Reuters reports that Ukraine's acting President Olexander Turchynov has said Ukraine's airspace is closed to any non-civilian aircraft

More from RT. Crimea parliament speaker basically says Crimea separates itself from the rest of Ukraine.

Sort out who’s boss in Kiev, Crimea takes care of itself – republic’s parliament speaker

Ukraine’s autonomous republic of Crimea wants Kiev to stay out of its business, and put its own house in order instead, the Crimean parliament speaker has said, adding that local authorities can take care of local business without the capital.

The speaker advised Kiev against using force to attempt to take control of Crimea or any other region resisting it. He said such a move would end with the new authorities having no region to call their own in Ukraine.

Thanks very much for this thread, we need updates, not a debate thread! This is the latest from Al Jazeera -

Ukraine PM accuses Russia of declaring war on the country. [AFP]

Ukraine PM: 'We are on the brink of disaster'. [AFP]

Source

We already have a thread for updates!

www.abovetopsecret.com...

reply to post by rigel4


Yes, I'm following that one too... but there is a lot of debating in the mix. We need only updates, it's important. No need to sift through the politics etc..

rigel4
We already have a thread for updates!

www.abovetopsecret.com...

True

sorry for all the hard work put into this, but closing now