Russia extends military presence in Crimea
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Over the past few days, Russian troops have increased their presence in Crimea, an autonomous region of Ukraine, and blocked or taken over posts of Ukrainian border guards and armed services. Last week, the higher chamber of parliament of the Russian Federation approved a possible military intervention.
Russia claims that Ukraine’s ousted President, Viktor Yanukovych, has asked it to intervene in that country. It has presented a document prepared by Yanukovych at an extraordinary sitting of the United Nations Security Council that began on Monday.
Some reports have suggested that Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, which is stationed in the Crimean city of Sevastopol, has asked the Ukrainian army to surrender and threatened to attack. However, Russian military officials have denied the news.
Russia’s actions have been condemned by European leaders. The foreign affairs ministers of the European Union issued a statement on Monday threatening Russia with sanctions, however without any immediate action planned.
In reaction to the situation in Crimea, G7 countries have decided to suspend work on their planned summit with Russia. The leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as the President of the European Council and President of the European Commission issued a statement calling on Russia to stop violating Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Poland's Foreign Affairs Minister Radosław Sikorski announced on Monday that the North Atlantic Council, the main decisive body of NATO, will meet under Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty, which refers to threats to the alliance countries’ territorial integrity or independence. Such a meeting was requested by both Poland and Lithuania in relation to the current situation in Ukraine.
Poland A.M.
