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.

April 17 – The USA are looking into secretly supporting Ukraine, in particular by supplying weapons. “Secret” visit of the CIA Director John Brennan to Kyiv last Sunday was more than a warning for Russia.

April 17 –During his latest interview Putin has stated that he may not accept the results of the upcoming presidential elections in Ukraine.

April 17 – Secret Service of Ukraine (SSU) continues to detain Ukrainian and Russian saboteurs who are carrying out subversive activities in the southern and eastern regions. SSU has identified and detained 117 citizens of Russian Federation who have been involved in “extremist activities in Ukraine”.

April 17 – Approximately 1000 people participated in a rally held in Luhansk to support Ukraine’s unity. 7000 people have held a rally “Praying for Ukraine” in Donetsk.

April 17 – In Melitopol Ukrainian border guards have detained 3 residents of Crimea who were trying to smuggle 5 million UAH to mainland Ukraine. The money was allocated as payment for anti-Ukrainian activity.

April 17 – In Sloviansk (Donetsk oblast) separatists have seized the local television tower and switched off Ukrainian TV stations.

April 17 – State Border Guard Service of Ukraine have prohibited entry to Ukraine for men aged 16-60 who are Russian citizens and who are arriving from Russia. Same restrictions apply to men who are citizens of Ukraine and registered in Crimea and Sevastopol. These men are suspected insurgency fighters who aim to enter mainland Ukraine.

April 17 – Following the meeting of Ukraine-EU-US-Russia [in talks in Geneva today], a number of agreements were reached, in particular, the release of captured buildings in Ukraine and amnesty for extremists. The USA is ready to impose additional sanctions against Russia if the latter violates Geneva agreement, said US Secretary of State John Kerry. Obama is skeptical about Russia adhering to this agreement.

Putin makes claims to oblasts with Ukrainian majorities

Putin signaled his plans for Kharkiv and Odessa today, based on his understanding of history. Note that in Kharkiv oblast, 71 percent of the people self-identified as Ukrainian: in Odessa, 63 percent.

Kharkiv: 71% Ukrainians; Russians – 26%,

Odessa: 63% Ukrainian; Russians - 21%

(and significant Moldovan, Bulgarian, Jewish and Greek populations)

(Worth noting that Donetsk and Luhansk have Ukrainian majorities, with higher percentages of ethnic Russians in the cities.)

http://mapsontheweb.zoom-maps.com/post/69871529654/percentage-of-ethnic-russians-in-ukraine-by

Text of Joint Diplomatic Statement on Ukraine

APRIL 17, 2014

Following is a joint statement on Thursday by the four parties — the United States, the European Union, Russia and Ukraine — meeting in Geneva to discuss the continuing conflict in Ukraine:

The Geneva meeting on the situation in Ukraine agreed on initial concrete steps to de-escalate tensions and restore security for all citizens.

All sides must refrain from any violence, intimidation or provocative actions. The participants strongly condemned and rejected all expressions of extremism, racism and religious intolerance, including anti-Semitism.

All illegal armed groups must be disarmed; all illegally seized buildings must be returned to legitimate owners; all illegally occupied streets, squares and other public places in Ukrainian cities and towns must be vacated.

Amnesty will be granted to protesters and to those who have left buildings and other public places and surrendered weapons, with the exception of those found guilty of capital crimes.

It was agreed that the O.S.C.E. Special Monitoring Mission should play a leading role in assisting Ukrainian authorities and local communities in the immediate implementation of these de-escalation measures wherever they are needed most, beginning in the coming days. The U.S., E.U. and Russiacommit to support this mission, including by providing monitors.

The announced constitutional process will be inclusive, transparent and accountable. It will include the immediate establishment of a broad national dialogue, with outreach to all of Ukraine’s regions and political constituencies, and allow for the consideration of public comments and proposed amendments.

The participants underlined the importance of economic and financial stability in Ukraine and would be ready to discuss additional support as the above steps are implemented.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/18/world/europe/text-of-joint-diplomatic-statement-on-ukraine.html?ref=world&_r=0

Maidan Community Sector, Lviv: 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.

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

Фотография: April 17 – The USA are looking into secretly supporting Ukraine, in particular by supplying weapons. “Secret” visit of the CIA Director John Brennan to Kyiv last Sunday was more than a warning for Russia.

April 17 –During his latest interview Putin has stated that he may not accept the results of the upcoming presidential elections in Ukraine.

April 17 – Secret Service of Ukraine (SSU) continues to detain Ukrainian and Russian saboteurs who are carrying out subversive activities in the southern and eastern regions. SSU has identified and detained 117 citizens of Russian Federation who have been involved in “extremist activities in Ukraine”.

April 17 – Approximately 1000 people participated in a rally held in Luhansk to support Ukraine’s unity. 7000 people have held a rally “Praying for Ukraine” in Donetsk.

April 17 – In Melitopol Ukrainian border guards have detained 3 residents of Crimea who were trying to smuggle 5 million UAH to mainland Ukraine. The money was allocated as payment for anti-Ukrainian activity.

April 17 – In Sloviansk (Donetsk oblast) separatists have seized the local television tower and switched off Ukrainian TV stations.

April 17 – State Border Guard Service of Ukraine have prohibited entry to Ukraine for men aged 16-60 who are Russian citizens and who are arriving from Russia. Same restrictions apply to men who are citizens of Ukraine and registered in Crimea and Sevastopol. These men are suspected insurgency fighters who aim to enter mainland Ukraine.

April 17 – Following the meeting of Ukraine-EU-US-Russia [in talks in Geneva today], a number of agreements were reached, in particular, the release of captured buildings in Ukraine and amnesty for extremists. The USA is ready to impose additional sanctions against Russia if the latter violates Geneva agreement, said US Secretary of State John Kerry. Obama is skeptical about Russia adhering to this agreement.

Putin makes claims to oblasts with Ukrainian majorities

Putin signaled his plans for Kharkiv and Odessa today, based on his understanding of history. Note that in Kharkiv oblast, 71 percent of the people self-identified as Ukrainian: in Odessa, 63 percent.

Kharkiv: 71% Ukrainians; Russians – 26%,

Odessa: 63% Ukrainian; Russians - 21%

(and significant Moldovan, Bulgarian, Jewish and Greek populations)

(Worth noting that Donetsk and Luhansk have Ukrainian majorities, with higher percentages of ethnic Russians in the cities.)

http://mapsontheweb.zoom-maps.com/post/69871529654/percentage-of-ethnic-russians-in-ukraine-by

Text of Joint Diplomatic Statement on Ukraine

APRIL 17, 2014

Following is a joint statement on Thursday by the four parties — the United States, the European Union, Russia and Ukraine — meeting in Geneva to discuss the continuing conflict in Ukraine:

The Geneva meeting on the situation in Ukraine agreed on initial concrete steps to de-escalate tensions and restore security for all citizens.

All sides must refrain from any violence, intimidation or provocative actions. The participants strongly condemned and rejected all expressions of extremism, racism and religious intolerance, including anti-Semitism.

All illegal armed groups must be disarmed; all illegally seized buildings must be returned to legitimate owners; all illegally occupied streets, squares and other public places in Ukrainian cities and towns must be vacated.

Amnesty will be granted to protesters and to those who have left buildings and other public places and surrendered weapons, with the exception of those found guilty of capital crimes.

It was agreed that the O.S.C.E. Special Monitoring Mission should play a leading role in assisting Ukrainian authorities and local communities in the immediate implementation of these de-escalation measures wherever they are needed most, beginning in the coming days. The U.S., E.U. and Russiacommit to support this mission, including by providing monitors.

The announced constitutional process will be inclusive, transparent and accountable. It will include the immediate establishment of a broad national dialogue, with outreach to all of Ukraine’s regions and political constituencies, and allow for the consideration of public comments and proposed amendments.

The participants underlined the importance of economic and financial stability in Ukraine and would be ready to discuss additional support as the above steps are implemented.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/18/world/europe/text-of-joint-diplomatic-statement-on-ukraine.html?ref=world&_r=0

Maidan Community Sector, Lviv: 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.

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