Crisis In Ukraine -- Live Updates

Live Updates On the Crisis In Ukraine

Ukraine turmoil LIVE UPDATES -- RT
Ukraine Crisis Live -- BBC
Ukraine live: 'Worst crisis in Europe in the 21st Century' -- The Telegraph
Ukraine crisis: Kerry heads to Kiev as Russia accuses US of 'unacceptable' threats – live updates -- The Guardian
[Live updates] EU discuss possibility of “targeted measures” against Russia – reports -- Euronews
Ukraine Live Blog -- Al Jazeera
Ukraine Crisis Live -- Reuters
Latest Updates on Ukraine Crisis -- New York Times
Ukraine in crisis -- Voice of America
Ukrainian Conflict Live Thread -- Reddit

LIVE UPDATES

23:59 EST: Live blogging on the Ukraine crisis is ending for tonight. Live blogging on the Ukraine crisis will return on Wednesday morning at 11:00 EST

23:40 EST: The Russian - Ukraine cyber war has begun.

23:25 EST: Russia-Ukraine debate sparks fiery exchange -- CNN



My Comment: CNN's Christiane Amanpour loses it in this segment. I have not been a fan of New York University Professor Stephen Cohen in the past .... but he is right on this issue.

23:10 EST: Russia sets sights on Ukraine warships as U.S. threatens economic punishment, Pentagon suspends military ties -- New York Daily News

22:58 EST: In pictures: Ukraine on alert amid Russia intervention -- BBC

22:30 EST: A look at Ukraine's economy .... Economic Woes: The Uncertain Future of Ukraine's Finances -- David Böcking, Speigel Online

In short .... Ukraine is broke and its needs financial aid for the government to function.

22:35 EST: CIA reportedly says Russia sees treaty as justifying Ukraine moves -- L.A. Times

22:00 EST: As first ultimatum passes, fear of Russian attacks grows -- Kyiv Post

It is morning time in Ukraine right now .... anything is now possible.

21:55 EST: How the Ukraine crisis is impacting everyone .... Conflict in Ukraine stirs unrest on markets, drives up prices of oil, gold, food -- Washington Post

21:33 EST: A tweet that summarizes the situation in Ukraine March 3, 2014 (Click on the map to enlarge it)

#Ukraine #Crimea #OSINT map w/#IXP's. Part of the situation as of 4th March. #cyberwarfare #intel pic.twitter.com/ZZnaimp1Dx
— MIKK0J (@mikk0j) March 4, 2014

21:15 EST: Ukraine’s military is far smaller than Russia’s, but there are 3 reasons it might not be so easy to crush -- Washington Post

I disagree with some of the conclusions. (1) The Ukraine military is not unified. (2) The Russian military is not the military that existed in 2008 .... they can move fast and they have the means to do so. (3) Ukraine's military leaders have played it cool .... but so have the Russians.

20:52 EST: The gold bugs like what they are seeing Ukraine .... Gold Near Four-Month High as Investors Weigh Crisis in Ukraine -- Bloomberg Businessweek

20:40 EST: Pentagon suspends military engagements with Russia -- AP

20:30 EST: Ukraine conflict: Global economic crisis brewing or local problem?

20:12 EST: Comments on the Ukraine crisis from President Obama.

20:05 EST: Ukrainian soldiers in Crimea reject Russian demands of allegiance -- L.A. Times

I expect one of two things to happen .... the Russians are going to storm these military camps .... or they are going to wait them out. My money is on the waiting game .... but if they storm these military bases .... I would not be surprised.

19:52 EST: US Congress readying $1 bn in economic aid to Ukraine -- AFP

So .... the U.S. is going to borrow money to help Ukraine .... even though Ukraine has admitted that they need at least $35 billion. Talk about a drop in the bucket that will make zero difference in the end.

19:40 EST: Ukraine crisis: Russia stands firm despite rebukes, threats of sanctions -- CNN

Russia is not going to change their course of action .... they are going for broke.

19:25 EST: Ukraine soldiers vow defiance as bases surrounded -- AFP

They are defiant because the bullets are not flying .... let's hope it stays that way.

19:00 EST: Tensions in Ukraine is not helping Wall Street .... Wall Street sells off as Ukraine-Russia tension rises -- Reuters

18:46 EST: A commentary on why Russian President Putin decided to act .... Nato ‘betrayal’ and Brussels rhetoric pushing Vladimir Putin to act -- Mary Dejevsky, The Independent

18:39 EST: Crimean authorities to cut power, water to Ukrainian troops: Russian ex-lawmaker -- Reuters

This is a major escalation .... and maybe a prelude to an armed assault.

18:31 EST: The newest trend on the front lines in Crimea .... selfies .... Selfskies from the frontline: People of the Crimea pose up with the masked Russian invaders -- Daily Mail

18:20 EST: Odds slim for U.S. military action in Ukraine -- Politico

Odds slim!?!?!?!? I would say non-existant.

18:10 EST: If judged by the numbers, Ukraine's military loses war with Russia -- CNN

As I have mentioned before .... even if they had the equipment the Ukraine military is deeply divided .... and I would wager that most of these soldiers have no interest in getting into a fight .... especially Russian Ukrainians.

18:00 EST: A good video summary from the AP on today's events in Ukraine.

17:55 EST: So much for Russian denials that they have issued ultimatums to Ukrainian military forces .... Kremlin issues ultimatums to Ukrainian forces -- The Telegraph

17:46 EST: This is specifically occurring in south and eastern Ukraine .... Pro-Russia groups take over government buildings across Ukraine -- The Guardian

17:39 EST: Arms, 400 kilos of explosives seized from Kiev radicals on Crimean border -- RT

17:32 EST: Russian and Ukrainian news organizations are covering the same story .... but with different spins.

17:30 EST: Russia Slams Kerry’s ‘Threats’ over Ukraine -- RT

17:20 EST: Putin visits military drills in Russia

17:12 EST: A look at Russian, Ukrainian militaries -- AP

17:05 EST: At UN, US blasts Russia military action in Ukraine -- AP

17:00 EST: Would Putin shut off gas again? .... maybe not.

16:50 EST: What did Russian President Putin do today .... Putin watches war games as Russia cranks up the tension with Ukraine whose leaders claim their navy is threatened with being seized -- Daily Mail

16:35 EST: Former Ukraine Prime Minister Tymoshenko wants the West to use military force against Russia .... Ukraine's call to arms: Former prime minister Tymoshenko issues thinly-veiled plea to the West to take military action against Russia -- Daily Mail

Western military action against Russia will mean war in Europe.

16:30 EST: An analysis from Christopher Dickey at the Daily Beast .... Crimea Is Gone—What Does NATO Do Next?

What's my take .... NATO is scrambling to put together a coherent policy .... and Moscow knows this.

16:20 EST: The UN Security Council is meeting on Ukraine.

16:14 EST: Does the U.S. need Russia more than Russia needs the U.S.? .... an analysis.

16:08 EST: According to the BBC .... Ukraine's ousted President Yanukovych has asked Russia to use military force in Ukraine - Russia's UN envoy.

16:00 EST: Armed men seize Ukrainian border checkpoint at ferry terminal, report says -- FOX News

15:52 EST: Look who is advising the new Ukraine government .... ‘Russia is Looking for a Hot War,’ Says Georgia’s Former President -- Daily Beast

Putin is certainly no angel .... and neither is former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili.

15:49 EST: Russian Stocks Plunge on Ukraine Crisis; Equity Index Sheds $58B -- FOX News

In the long term .... this is Russian President Putin's Achilles heel.

15:44 EST: NATO to hold emergency Ukraine meeting Tuesday -- AFP

Former states of the old Soviet Union/Warsaw Pact are panicking .... they now want guaranteed military and defense assurances .... Ukraine Neighbor Nations Seek NATO, U.S. Security Assurances -- Wall Street Journal

15:33 EST: Russia blocks web pages linked to Ukraine protests -- Politico

This is dumb. The web operates freely in Russia .... you block ten pages .... expect 100 popping up elsewhere.

15:30 EST: Kerry Heading to Ukraine as Russia Tightens Grip on Crimea -- Voice of America

This is only a gesture .... I predict nothing coming out from these "talks".

15:24 EST: NATO chief says Russia’s actions in Ukraine threaten Europe security -- Stars and Stripes

Ukraine's actions .... Russia's actions .... Western support of those who overthrew the corrupt but democratically elected President Of Ukraine .... all of these actions are threatening European security.

15:20 EST: Ukraine Seeking $15 Billion Rescue From IMF -- WSJ

Considering what is happening in Ukraine right now .... on the verge of a war .... I doubt that the IMF will give a penny.

15:14 EST: EU tells Russia to withdraw troops or face possible sanctions -- Reuters

Russia is not listening.

15:09 EST: Kiev appoints billionaires to govern east -- RT

Goodbye to the old boss .... say hello to the new boss.

15:06 EST: According to Ukrainian experts .... Russian invasion was years in making -- Kyiv Post

Developing plans and strategies on how to react to a crisis is the norm for defense establishments all over the world. on the question .... does the Russian military have a plan for Ukraine? I would wager that they must have dozens of plans, and all of them are now being looked at.

15:00 EST: Ukraine levies severe punishments for those who are seeking Russian passports .... Up to 10yrs’ jail for dual citizenship: Ukrainian bill targets tens of thousands -- RT

This is going to backfire.

14:57 EST: East Ukraine aflame with Russians poised to strike -- USA Today

Besides strikes .... regional offices are being taken over by pro-Russian protestors.

14:50 EST: Obama: U.S. weighing steps to 'isolate Russia' over Ukraine crisis -- Reuters

President Obama lists no specific actions .... my prediction .... I see limited sanctions, but just like the Russian invasion of Georgia in 2008 .... they will be dropped a few months later.