Rival Rallies Turned Violent In Crimea On Sunday

Clashes In Ukraine As Rallies Take A Turn -- New York Times

KIEV, Ukraine — Rival rallies turned violent in Crimea on Sunday, as Ukraine celebrated the 200th anniversary of the birth of its greatest poet and the White House announced that President Obama would host the Ukrainian prime minister just days before a controversial referendum on Crimean secession next week.

In Kiev, the capital, tens of thousands rallied in Independence Square to celebrate the birth of Taras Shevchenko, a poet who is a symbol of Ukrainian nationhood. The gathering was both a riposte to Russia and a memorial service for the more than 80 people who died there.

“Our fathers and grandfathers have spilled their blood for this land,” said the interim prime minister, Arseniy P. Yatsenyuk, who will visit the White House on Wednesday. “We won’t budge a single centimeter from Ukrainian land. Let Russia and its president know this.”

Read more ....

More News On The Crisis In Ukraine

Clashes in Ukraine as Putin stays defiant -- AFP
Rival rallies in Crimea chant for Russia and Ukraine -- The Guardian
Demonstrators rally as Crimea crisis mounts -- CNN
In Crimean capital, dueling rallies offer a study in contrasting narratives, ambitions -- Washington Post
Ukraine Crisis: Russia sends more troops, takes more Crimea border posts -- CBS
A Defiant Putin Endorses Crimean Bid to Secede -- WSJ
Putin defends separatist drive in Crimea as legal -- Washington Post/AP
Putin defends Crimean referendum legitimacy to EU leaders as Ukraine's southeast rallies -- RT
Putin defends Crimea's decision to hold referendum -- Reuters
Merkel raps Putin as Russian forces tighten grip on Crimea -- Reuters
Ukraine PM: Won't Relinquish '1 Centimeter' of Territory -- Voice of America
White House invites Ukrainian leader to visit as Russian forces cement grip on Crimea -- Washington Post
US Warns Russia Over Crimea Referendum -- Voice of America
Blinken: U.S. would not recognize Crimea secession -- Washington Post

My Comment: Former US Defense Secretary Robert Gates is right .... "Crimea will be lost to Russia". The positions between Ukrainians and Russians has only hardened .... and with no willingness to compromise .... a split is all but guaranteed. My prediction .... Crimea will vote to separate next week .... a vote that will only embolden other Russian dominated regions in Ukraine to vote to secede.