Bosnian Serbs Want to Follow Crimea’s Example
The Case of Crimea, and the ease with which it seems to have been resolved, spans other European territories who sympathize with Russia. The Serbian Republic of Bosnia - the so-called Republika Srpska-, forming one country with the region inhabited by Bosniak Muslims and Croats, as they establish the peace accords that ended the war (1992-1995) is now added to the Moldovan region of Transnistria. The project announced by the Bosnian Serb President, Milorad Dodik, is simple and nothing original because it has been repeatedly said for years. But the events of the Crimean peninsula, occupied and annexed by Russia without bloodshed - and…
Russian Economy Could Contract By 1.8% If Deepens Crisis Over Crimea
The World Bank warned that Russia's economy could suffer a contraction of up to if the crisis that arose as a result of the annexation of the Crimea region deepens. The report published by the World Bank indicates that an intensification of the political tension could generate greater economic uncertainty and further reduce confidence and the economic activities of investors. "The World Bank has developed two scenarios for Russia. Prospects depend widely on the recovery of confidence of entrepreneurs and consumers and geopolitical risks indicates the institution, which in the worst case also foresees a contraction of percent in 2015. However,…
Russian Forces Board a Ukrainian Ship In Crimea
Crimea reports that Russian forces boarded a boat of the Ukrainian Navy in Donuzlav Bay on the West coast of the peninsula. Konstantin Olshanskii was one of the two boats still sailing with the Ukrainian flag. Earlier, Kiev lost control of its last military base in the region, that of Feodosia. The Acting President of Ukraine, Alexander Turchínov, ordered the withdrawal of the armed forces of the country of the peninsula to "save the lives of the staff". The Russian Defense Minister, Sergei Shoigu, visited Crimea to inspect the troops and military installations. He is the officer of the army's highest…
The EU Meets To Discuss Response To Russia
European Union leaders met from 14:30 GMT in Brussels to discuss a new response to block the Russian intervention in the Ukrainian region of Crimea. The German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, said that the EU leaders would agree to new sanctions against Moscow. Merkel said before the Parliament of her country that Russia's actions meant that the G-8 (composed of Germany, Canada, France, United States, Italy, Japan, United Kingdom and Russia) no longer existed. Meanwhile, the Swedish Foreign Minister, Carl Bildt, told the BBC that the EU should offer clear support to Ukraine because the objective of Russia was not Crimea…
Russia Risks “Political & Economic Isolation”
Vice President, Joe Biden, said that if Russia continues on its "dark road" it faces "political and economic isolation", during his visit to Lithuania on Wednesday. "Russia has chosen to respond with military aggression, a referendum virtually rejected by the entire world, illegal efforts to annex Crimea and now reports of armed attacks against Ukrainian military personnel and installations in Crimea," he said. "I want to make it clear: we remain firmly with our Baltic partners in support of the Ukrainian people against the Russian aggression." While Russia goes down this dark path they will face a growing political and economic isolation". Biden spoke…
Putin Calls On US to Stop Cold War Rhetoric
The Russian President, Vladimir Putin, called on United States to halt the "hysteria and cold war rhetoric," during a special session with Russian parliamentarians. He said the West has "exceeded in Ukraine and behaved irresponsibly". Moreover, from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia said that the sanctions will not remain unanswered, but it did not specify what measures will be taken. The European Union and United States approved Monday the freezing of assets and bans on travel for officials from Russia and Ukraine. The US President Barack Obama, said that they will be considering new sanctions if Russia does not…
EU & US Approve Sanctions Against Russian and Ukrainian Officials
The European Union Foreign Ministers and the Government of President Barack Obama agreed to various sanctions against members of the Russian Government and several citizens of Ukraine, involved in the referendum held Sunday in Crimea. The EU approved in Brussels sanctions of travel and assets against 21 officials whose names have not been revealed yet. For his part, President Barack Obama announced the freezing of assets of 11 officials from Russia and Ukraine related to the military incursion on the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea. The Treasury Department will impose further sanctions on four Ukrainians, including the deposed President Viktor Yanukovych…
Tens of Thousands March in Moscow
Tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets of the Russian capital, Moscow, in opposing demonstrations: those supporting the involvement of Russia in Ukraine, and those who are against it. Government supporters shouted "Crimea is Russian land", while opponents said that the presence of Russian troops on the Ukrainian peninsula was "shameful". The demonstrations are made a day before the referendum in Crimea to decide if the territory will become part of Russia or continue in Ukraine but with greater autonomy. It is expected that on Saturday the UN Security Council voted a resolution designed by United States…
US Will Sell Oil From Strategic Reserves
The Department of Energy of the United States said it plans to sell five million barrels of oil from its strategic reserves. Government officials said the sale is a trial that has been planned for months. The decision comes at a time when global energy markets closely watch the developments of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. On the territory of Ukraine pass pipelines carrying Russian gas to the European Union. However, the White House said the two events are not connected. The decision lowered by 2% the price of crude oil on the New York Stock Exchange.
Increased Western Pressure on Russia
Western leaders warned Russia to cease its attempts to annex the Crimea or otherwise face sanctions. President Barack Obama, said Moscow would pay a price if it continues its current path. Speaking from the White House after meeting with interim Prime Minister of Ukraine Arseniy Yatsenyuk, Obama said a referendum, scheduled for Sunday, on the annexation of Crimea into Russia, is a violation of international law. Earlier, the European Union and the G-7, said they would take action against Russia if the referendum takes place.