Ukraine postpones 'trade suicide', halts talks with EU

[Razor]

Russian Lawmakers Condemn West's Role in Ukraine

Russian lawmakers adopted a resolution Wednesday slamming foreign politicians for what they say is interference in Ukraine's deepening political crisis as clashes rage between protestors and police.
The Ukrainian capital, Kiev, has seen increasingly violent scenes in recent days with demonstrators intensifying their anti-government campaign in response to draconian legislation coming into force Wednesday that severely curbs the freedom to protest.
A State Duma declaration proposed by speaker Sergei Naryshkin urging foreign politicians to refrain from involvement in developments inside Ukraine was supported by 388 out of 450 deputies.
"The State Duma urges Western political circles to stop meddling in the internal affairs of sovereign Ukraine in violation of international law and to stop contributing to further escalation of conflict," the resolution said.
Russian lawmakers also called on opposition members in Ukraine to refrain from violence, halt the standoff and seek constructive dialogue with the authorities.
The opposition in Ukraine accuses authorities of escalating the violence by spurning genuine high-level dialogue and using heavy-handed tactics in attempting to clear demonstrators.
The Duma resolution comes in the wake of remarks by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov describing the situation in Ukraine as "spinning out of control" and demanding the West to stop "artificially undermining" the government.
Meanwhile, the US Embassy has responded to the sharp escalation in unrest this week by announcing Wednesday that it would revoke the visas of several Ukrainian officials it said were responsible for the violence. The embassy statement did not name any officials affected.
A wave of anti-government protests was sparked in late November by the Ukrainian government's surprise decision to pull back from a deal for closer economic and political ties with the EU in favor of closer trade links with Russia.
A permanent and largely peaceful rally on Independence Square, which is located a short distance from the site of recent disturbances, has been visited by numerous foreign dignitaries and politicians, including the EU's foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton and US Senator John McCain. (unwanted meddling in internal affairs of every country )

Russian Lawmakers Condemn West's Role in Ukraine | World | RIA Novosti

 

[Razor]

Ukraine's Ministry of Interior announced they have detained a gang in Kiev and seized their arsenal, which included two assault rifles, four pistols and hundreds of rounds of ammunition.

Law enforcers say they have evidence that the gang was involved in kidnapping and supplying arms to protesters in the Ukrainian capital.

Around 20 such groups could be currently active in Kiev, according to the police.

The Polish PM has laid the blame for the unrest in neighboring Ukraine on the country's president and his administration.

"We have no doubt that President Yanukovich's behavior and his administration's actions have led to this dramatic crisis, where the unity of Ukraine is being put into question," Donald Tusk said, as cited by Interfax-Ukraine.

He added that Ukraine, torn by inner conflicts would, "sooner or later represent a serious problem for the whole region.

Of course the President of UKR who is agreeing to hold dialogue and discussion is the culprit, not the ultra-nationalists and neo-nazis running wild on the streets with assault rifles and home made bombs.

After overnight negotiations with a number protest leaders resulted in no solution, the police threatened to storm the city council building.

"Ukraine's Ministry of the Interior demands the immediate release of the police officers. In case our demand is not met, the police will be forced to take measures to free those kidnapped," the Ministry's statement reads, as cited by RIA Novosti.

The Ukrainian Ministry of the Interior has demanded the immediate release of two police officers, who were kidnapped on Friday by the so-called "Maidan security".


The police officers are reportedly being held hostage in a Kiev city council building, which is under siege by protesters. According to earlier reports, three police personnel were attacked and captured. One, who was severely wounded, was later released.

An explosion went off near the police station in Cherkassy, central Ukraine. Seven windows were reportedly broken, according to Espresso.tv. There are no reported injuries.

http://rt.com/news/kiev-protest-clashes-updates-862/

 

[Razor]

RT's Peter Oliver described the situation in central Kiev: "We saw many, many Molotov cocktails being thrown by the rioters, also fireworks, as well as any bits of stones, about the size of a fist if not bigger. We also saw homemade sling-shots being used on those rocks being thrown at police."

"The wall of flame is separating the rioters and police," he said. "There is no sign of any kind of truce, no sign of any kind of listening to calls for calm."

Oliver said that rioters are chanting: "Glory to Ukraine, glory to heroes. Glory to the nation and death to our enemy."

Police are responding to attacks with rubber bullets and flash grenades.

Rioters have started at least 10 new fires on Grushevskogo Street, with protesters actively adding more car tires and fuel to the flames, Unian news agency reported.

"We have a social crisis in our country, not a political one. And we discussed ways out of that crisis with our European partners. I can clearly state that it will be very difficult to find a way out of this crisis without our western partners," Batkivshchyna opposition leader Arseniy Yatsenyuk said after a meeting with the European Commissioner for Enlargement, Stefan Fule.

Some experts believe protesters are trying to force the issue.

"This is a typical extortion tactic. The whole point is to force the government to react, to force Berkut and other police forces to confront the protesters and then scream: 'Bloody murder, oh my god, they are killing us, they are oppressing us, please help, foreign intervention,'" Ukrainian affairs analyst Nebojsa Malic told RT. "It is a very basic tactic from the rebellion playbook, as was articulated in Serbia 15 years ago and being implemented throughout the world in Georgia and elsewhere, even in Ukraine 2004 of all things."

Earlier on Friday, Yanukovich promised a government reshuffle and amendments to the anti-protest laws that triggered the violent clashes in Kiev.

"We will make a decision at this session [on January 28]. I will sign a decree and we will reshuffle the government in order to find the best possible professional government team," Yanukovich said on Friday, as quoted by his press service.

In return for rioters leaving Grushevskogo Street - the epicenter of the unrest - Yanukovich on Thursday offered the release of those detained during the riots and mitigated penalties for protesters arrested in clashes.

On Friday, he confirmed his readiness to pardon all protesters involved in the riots, as long as they have not committed grave offenses.

Ukraine's energy minister, Eduard Stavytsky, says protesters were prevented from seizing the main energy ministry building in Kiev.

"There was an attempt to seize the building. About 100 armed people came. I went to them and said that if they did not leave the building peacefully then the whole energy system of Ukraine could collapse," Stavytsky said, as cited by Reuters.

The protesters are still blocking the entry into the Ministry according to the official, who described it as "a direct threat to the whole of the Ukrainian energy system."

Police officer killed, two others captured as violence resumes in Kiev — RT News

http://rt.com/news/kiev-protest-clashes-updates-862/

 

[Razor]

Rallies in support of President Yanukovich have started all over the coal-rich Donbass region. The leader of the Donetsk Party of Regions, Igor Chichasov, told Itar-Tass he expected 300,000 people to take part.

"Donbass has made its choice", he said. "We decisively support all the efforts the president has taken for stabilizing the situation in the country."

Looks like the pro-government people (who are the majority btw) are slowly starting to wake up.

http://rt.com/news/kiev-protest-clashes-updates-862/

 

[JBH22]

Western puppets will turn Ukraine into shithole.

Anyways Russia will not let go Ukraine easily, Uncle Sam and Euro wussies better stay on your guards.

 

[Razor]

Some updates:

Rioters in Ukraine have seized one of the Justice Ministry's buildings in central Kiev near Independence Square, police reported. "At 22:38 security in the building called in an attempted seizure of the building. Information was confirmed, the building remains seized," Unian news agency quoted the police as saying.

Ukrainian Justice Minister Elena Lukash has said she will ask the National Security and Defense Council to introduce a state of emergency if rioters do not leave the ministry building.

"If the protesters do not leave the Justice Ministry building in half an hour I will ask the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine to impose the state of emergency," she told Inter TV channel.

Later

The Ukrainian Interior Ministry has confirmed to Interfax that opposition activists are no longer occupying the building of the Ministry of Justice.

Investigators have been working in the building after the protesters, including those of the Spilna Sprava ("common cause") movement, have left it, the Interior Ministry's press service said.

Also

Members of the Ukrainian rebel army have claimed responsibility for the killing of a policeman in Kiev on Friday.

Moscow has expressed concern over the rise in nationalist attitudes in Ukraine, "including anti-Semitic calls of some Maidan activists which the European bodies choose to hush up for reasons undefined," Russia's Foreign Ministry stated, as quoted by RIA Novosti.

As riots and storming of government buildings continue in western Ukraine, residents in the east of the country fear the violence could spread to their relatively calm regions too, RT's Paula Slier reports from Donetsk.

Slier interviewed Aleksandra Green, a Jewish mother of two, who is taking the openly racist slogans of one of the opposition leaders, Oleg Tyagnibok, very seriously.

"In the children's school now, there is a security guard. Children now take pepper sprays to school to be safe"¦I'm afraid for my family," Green told RT.

"These people, protesters, have already tasted the blood and maybe they will become more violent," she said.

The Ukrainian opposition claims to have seized another administrative building – the regional council – in the northern city of Chernigov, announcing they plan to base the headquarters of the new "People's Rada" ("parliament") there. Such alternative local councils have already been proposed in several other Ukrainian cities, with Sumy city protesters proclaiming one on Sunday.

There were no reports of clashes or resistance. Opposition MPs have asked their supporters not to build any barricades and to "behave nicely," according to Ukrainska Pravda daily.

Diplomats from 14 world countries with embassies in Kiev have inspected the equipment of Berkut special forces, according to a statement published on the website of the Ukrainian Interior Ministry.

According to the statement, the diplomats observed tear gas canisters, stun grenades, "Fort-500" non-lethal guns, and ammunition belonging to the special forces.

"The police officers have no firearms," the statement stressed.

Three policemen have been stabbed by "radical protesters" in the southern Ukrainian city of Herson, authorities report. Two of the wounded are in serious condition. The assailants, all university students, have been detained.

http://rt.com/news/kiev-protest-clashes-updates-862/

 

[Razor]

US, European diplomats meet with radicals in Kiev, see 'no threat' from them

Western diplomats have once again come to Kiev's Independence Square, the epicenter of protests which have evolved from democratic rallies into violent riots. Ambassadors reportedly met with radical leaders who are now at the core of the demonstrations.

American, Canadian, and European diplomats arrived to Independence Square - also known as Maidan - on Sunday, the opposition Batkivshchyna (Fatherland) party said in a statement. The square is the site of ongoing anti-government and pro-EU protests.

The diplomats also "inspected" the Trade Unions Building, home to the National Resistance Headquarters. The so-called "commandants" of Maidan, Batkivshchyna deputies Andrey Parubiy and Stepan Kubiv, showed that there were no weapons on the square or in the building, the party's press service said in a statement.

The visit followed "disinformation by the Ukrainian authorities and Russian TV channels about alleged stockpiles of arms on Maidan," the statement reads.

The foreign diplomats also reportedly met with the speaker of Right Sector - a movement uniting several nationalist organizations - and one of Maidan's self defense commanders. They were "convinced that these people posed no threat" and that the "aggression" only comes from government forces.

Right-wing extremists from Right Sector have been widely involved in violent clashes with police in Kiev. The group is committed to ousting the "occupation" government at any cost.

The movement posted "instructions" for their members on a social networking site on Monday, though the directions looked more like a military order. The message calls on regional commanders and their deputies to organize their subordinates in units, conduct propaganda among the general public, and "neutralize the anti-Ukrainian bloc" – apparently referring to government supporters.

Additionally, Right Sector commanders must provide their units "with everything necessary" and be "ready to act illegally." Upon request from the headquarters, they should "send people to Kiev and other regions," the message reads.

A handout picture released on December 10, 2013 by Ukrainian Union Opposition press services hows US Assistant secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Victoria Nuland (R) distributing cakes to protesters on the Independence Square in Kiev

US Senator John McCain greets protestors as he visits Independence Square in Kiev during a mass rally by the opposition on December 15, 2013

US, European diplomats meet with radicals in Kiev, see 'no threat' from them — RT News

Again unwanted meddling in the internal affairs of Ukraine.

 

[Razor]

Ukrainian parliament repeals controversial anti-protest laws

Nine out of 12 anti-protest laws passed on January 16 have been canceled during the special session of the Ukrainian Parliament. It was one of the main demands of the opposition.

The cancelation of the laws has been approved by 361 MPs, while 226 were needed to get it passed.

The laws, banning unsanctioned gatherings and imposing multiple restrictions on mass demonstrations, have been harshly criticized by the opposition.

Among things that were illegal according to the repealed bills were protesters' wearing of masks or helmets, and erecting tents or stages without permission from the authorities.

When passed, the laws provoked a mass demonstration with at least 10,000 participants out in the streets of Kiev. The protest eventually ended in violent clashes with police.

The announcement of the voting results was welcomed by applause.

http://rt.com/news/ukraine-parliament-protest-law-289/

 

[Razor]

Ukraine Prime Minister Azarov submits resignation

Ukrainian Prime Minister Nikolay Azarov has submitted his resignation, according to his government's website. The resignation has not yet been accepted by President Viktor Yanukovich, however.

The prime minister explained that his move was motivated by efforts to peacefully resolve the current crisis in the country.

"For the purpose of creating additional possibilities of social and political compromise, for the peaceful solution of the conflict, I've made a personal decision to ask the Ukrainian president to accept my resignation from the post of prime minister," Azarov's statement reads.

Azarov described the current crisis in Ukraine as a threat to the economic and social development of the country, as well as a threat to each and every Ukrainian citizen.

"During the standoff, the government has done everything for a peaceful solution of the conflict," Azarov said. "We've been doing everything not to let bloodshed occur, to prevent the violence escalating, not to have human rights infringed upon. The government has made sure the economy and social security have functioned in extreme conditions."

Azarov, one of the longest-serving politicians in Ukraine, said he can "honestly look into the eyes of each of his compatriots" and that he has always acted in the best interests of the country.

"Throughout all of these years I have been doing everything for Ukraine to be able to normally develop as a democratic European country. I have made decisions and taken upon myself responsibility in the interest of Ukraine."

Azarov said he was grateful to Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych and the country's MPs for their cooperation. He also thanked all of the Ukrainian citizens who have supported him and approved of the decisions made by his Cabinet.

"The most important today is to preserve the unity and integrity of Ukraine. That's much more important than anybody's personal plans and ambitions," the PM said.

Azarov has been prime minister since March 2010. He retained the post in December 2012, when the new parliament was elected.

He's been among Ukrainian political elite since the early 2000s, having served as first deputy prime minister and finance minister.

Ukraine Prime Minister Azarov submits resignation — RT News

 

[Razor]

Putin: Russia ready to support Ukraine, regardless of govt

Moscow is ready to support not the government of Ukraine, but the Ukrainian people, President Putin said, referring to Russia's loan to its neighboring state and its offer to reduce gas prices.

No matter which government comes to power in Ukraine, Russia will not reconsider its earlier signed agreements, he told a news conference in Brussels.

"Regarding you question whether we will review our agreements on loans and the energy sector if the opposition will take power ... No, we will not," Putin told a news conference after talks with European Union leaders in Brussels.

The loan and the gradual reduction of gas price were to "support the people of Ukraine, not the government".

"It's the ordinary people who always suffer," he added.

The Russian president reiterated Moscow's position on the situation in Ukraine, saying that the political crisis in the country should be solved without foreign interference.

Putin said that Moscow believes that meddling in Ukraine's domestic affairs is unacceptable.

The international community, which has been calling on Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich to act in a civilized way amid the crisis, should urge the opposition to do the same, Putin added.

Ukraine has been gripped by mass anti-government protests that began on November 21, after Yanukovich refused to sign an association agreement with the EU.

http://rt.com/news/putin-eu-ukraine-summit-293/

 

[Akim]

This, in the West did not show. As "peaceful" revolutionaries set fire the police.

 

[Razor]

This, in the West did not show. As "peaceful" revolutionaries set fire the police.

Of course the Western media will not show, it does not match their agenda.

 

[Razor]

'F**k the EU': US State Dept. official in alleged phone chat on Ukraine posted online

Victoria Nuland (R) and U.S. Ambassador Geoffrey Pyatt (2nd R), Kiev December 11, 2013.(Reuters / Andrew Kravchenko)

A senior US State Department official has allegedly been caught giving an unexpected message to the EU while discussing Ukrainian opposition leaders' roles in the country's future government. The phone call was taped and posted on YouTube.

"F**k the EU," Victoria Nuland allegedly said in a recent phone call with US ambassador to Kiev Geoffrey Pyatt, as the two were discussing a deal to end the crisis in Ukraine.

The four-minute video - titled 'Maidan puppets,' referring to Independence Square in Ukraine's capital - was uploaded by an anonymous user. The origin of the recording is not clear. The video was first reported in the Kyiv Post.

The conversation is mainly focused on Ukraine's government and President Viktor Yanukovich's offer last month to make opposition leader Arseniy Yatsenyuk the new prime minister and Vitaly Klitschko deputy prime minister.

"I don't think that Klitschko should go into the government. I don't think it is necessary. I don't think it is a good idea," a female voice - allegedly Nuland - said.

"In terms of him not going into the government, just let him stay out and do his political homework," a male voice - believed to be Pyatt - replied. "In terms of the process moving ahead, we want to keep the moderate democrats together," he said.

As Nuland sees it, Ukrainian opposition leader Arseniy Yatsenyuk should be in charge of the new government and Klitschko would not get along with him. "It's just not going to work," she said.

Nuland added that she has also been told that UN chief Ban Ki-moon is about to appoint the former Dutch ambassador to Kiev, Robert Serry, as his representative to Ukraine.

"That would be great I think to help glue this thing and have the UN glue it and you know, f**k the EU," she said in apparent reference to their differences over policies.

"We've got to do something to make it stick together, because you can be pretty sure that if it does start to gain altitude the Russians will be working behind the scenes to try to torpedo it," Pyatt replied.

US State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki declined to confirm the tape's contents, but did not deny its authenticity.

"I did not say it was not authentic," she said, adding that Nuland had apologized to her EU counterparts for the reported comments.

http://rt.com/news/nuland-phone-chat-ukraine-927/

Here's a video with the tapped phone clip (phone tapping can work both ways uh NSA).

Марионетки Майдана - YouTube

Nuland (the same broad who was distributing cakes, cheering for the protesters) and pyatt discuss their plans and ideas on how the opposition should proceed in Ukraine.

 

[Free Karma]

'This is what you cook for Ukraine?' State Dept. Psaki grilled over leaked tape - YouTube

 

[Razor]

US will give money to Ukraine if Kiev makes necessary reforms - Nuland

The United States is ready to provide financial support to Ukraine if the country implements the necessary political reforms, senior US diplomat Victoria Nuland said. [ ]

"We have had extensive discussions at all meetings concerning support from the international community, including the United States," Nuland, the Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs said at a press conference in Kiev on Friday.

"[The United States] is ready to support Ukraine if the will quickly move towards the path of protecting human rights, dignity, a de-escalation of the conflict, and political reforms." [ ]

Nuland said she would not comment on her conversation with the US ambassador to Ukraine, in which the two discussed who should be in the next Ukrainian government.

Speaking about the impact of the leaked conversation on US-Russia relations, Nuland noted that bilateral ties were deep and complex, and the both sides are working on a range of issues including Iran, Syria arms control.

She further noted that the US and Russia were both working to ensure the country's future.

"We are in talks with Russia over the situation in Ukraine. All of us - Americans and Russians, all of Ukraine's neighbors have an interest in a stable, peaceful and democratic Ukraine. The US is working on it and we hope that Russia is working towards this end as well," she said. [ So till now americans were like: Oh Russia is bad, it is denying freedom to the people of Ukraine. Now suddenly (after the embarrassing revelations from the phone call) she's like: oh we are working together with everyone one, yes Russians too. What a two faced bitch. ]

On Thursday, a four minute four-minute video - titled 'Maidan puppets,' referring to Independence Square in Ukraine's capital – was reported in the post. In the clip, Nuland is allegedly heard saying "F**k the EU" during a phone call with the American Ambassador to Kiev Geoffrey Pyatt, as the two were discussing a deal to end the crisis in Ukraine.

US State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki declined to comment on the tape's contents, but did not deny its authenticity.

"I did not say it was not authentic," she said, adding that Nuland had apologized to her EU counterparts for the reported comments.

Meanwhile, on Thursday a spokeswoman for German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that Nuland's comments were "totally unacceptable."

German spokeswoman Christiane Wirtz said Merkel appreciated the work of EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, who has attempt to mediate between President Viktor Yanukovich and the opposition.

"The chancellor finds these remarks totally unacceptable and wants to emphasize that Mrs Ashton is doing an outstanding job," Reuters cites Wirtz as telling a news conference.

My thoughts in red.

http://rt.com/news/nuland-ukraine-money-reforms-017/

I don't understand how Nuland still keeps her job.
But then, again since the Euros have sold their balls and spine to the US, I guess nobody cares or dares.

 

[Akim]

'This is what you cook for Ukraine?' State Dept. Psaki grilled over leaked tape - YouTube

Our opposition TV channels, try this political scandal, after ether show. Russian news channels, is presented to news number 2, after the Olympics.

 

[cobra commando]

Марионетки Майдана - YouTube

*Nuland*: You know what ..
*other guy* : what ? *Nuland*: [highlight]FU©K THE EU[/highlight]. Yeah ! you heard her Real Classy

 

[Razor]

Fresh Violence in Ukraine

Protesters, Police Clash in Kiev, 10 Deaths Confirmed

KIEV, February 18 (RIA Novosti) – Anti-government protesters and police engaged in violent street battles that left hundreds injured and at least ten dead, including three police officers, in Ukraine's capital on Tuesday.
The capital's police department said in a statement that three police officers died and 184 were injured, 35 of them critically. By late Tuesday, 159 officers have been admitted to city hospitals.
A Kiev police spokesman said that seven civilians also died as a result of the clashes. Two of them died of heart failure, one was killed in a car accident, one in fire and three were shot dead.
Fighting escalated in Kiev as a standoff played out inside parliament, where deputies faced off over changes to the constitution that the opposition has said could be a way out of the political paralysis gripping the country.

More @ Source: Protesters, Police Clash in Kiev, 10 Deaths Confirmed | World | RIA Novosti
http://rt.com/news/kiev-clashes-rioters-police-571/

 

[Razor]

Update:

The number of policemen killed in Kiev has risen to six, Interfax reported, citing Ukraine's Interior Ministry. All of the officers died from gunshot wounds.

http://rt.com/news/kiev-clashes-rioters-police-571/

 

[t_co]

Apparently Lviv, on the western edge of Ukraine, is seceding from the rest of the country.

Ukrainian bond yields and CDS contracts (both of which measure the risk of sovereign default) are surging, showing that bond investors are taking the news seriously.

We could be seeing a civil war soon...