Dear friends!

Russia has carried out an act of aggression towards Ukraine. Russian troops have entered Crimea. Thus we take it upon ourselves to inform you about the events in Ukraine. We will provide you with yet another viewpoint regarding this conflict. We will do our best to remain fair and objective.

March 13 – Speaker of Crimea’s Supreme Council Volodymyr Konstantynov has said that oil and gas production in Crimea must be done by Russian companies, “Gazprom” in particular.

March 13 – In Vienna Austrian police have arrested Ukrainian entrepreneur-oligarch Dmytro Firtash. He was detained at the request of FBI on suspicion of creating an organized criminal group. Firtash has been actively supporting the regime of Yanukovych. The issue of Firtash’s extradition to the USA will be settled shortly.

March 13 – Members of EU parliament have passed a resolution condemning Russia’s actions in Crimea and expressing their support of new Ukrainian authorities. EU member-states are putting together a list of Russian officials who will fall within the sanctions as a result of Russia invading Ukraine. This list consists of three blocks – military and policing officials, political partners, long-standing business partners.

March 13 – the USA intend on keeping naval aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) in eastern Mediterranean waters. The range of carrier’s action is 2000 km.

March 13 – The documents necessary to extradite Yanukovych for trial in Ukraine were submitted by Ukraine’s Attorney General Office to Interpol.

March 13 – US Secretary of State John Kerry has warned that next Monday the US will take further steps regarding Russia in case the referendum on Crimea’s status goes ahead.

March 13 – Germany’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Frank-Walter Steinmeier said that there is not much hope left for diplomatic solution to Ukrainian-Russian crisis before the referendum in Crimea (to be held on March 16th).

P.S.: Please spread this appeal as much as possible.

Jon Snow speaks to Carl Bildt, Sweden's foreign minister and one of Europe's most respected elder statesmen.Sign up for Snowmail, your daily preview of what is on Channel 4 News, sent straight to your inbox, here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9vgIPHRIy8&app=desktop