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Thousands rally in Moscow’s Red Square in support of Russia, Crimea Russia slams European Union over sanctions threat as thousands rally in Moscow
(about 1 hour later)
Tens of thousands of people joined a rally and concert in Moscow’s Red Square on Friday to support Crimea’s aspirations to secede and join Russia. MOSCOW — Russia slammed the European Union for taking an “extremely un-constructive approach” to the Ukraine crisis on Friday and pledged to retaliate if the E.U. imposed sanctions.
“Russia does not accept the language of sanctions and threats, but if they are imposed they will not remain unanswered,” the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement.
The E.U. agreed Thursday to a three-phase package of sanctions to punish Russia for its military intervention in Crimea, including an immediate halt to talks on a new political and economic pact with Moscow.
“If officials in Brussels believe that Russia needs the successful conclusion of this work more than the E.U., they are wrong,” the Russian foreign ministry said.
Also on Friday, Russian state gas monopoly Gazprom stepped up pressure on Ukraine, warning that Russian gas supplies might dry up unless Kiev settled its gas debts. 
Alexei Miller, head of Gazprom, said Ukraine’s debt had jumped to $1.89 billion after Kiev missed a March 7 deadline to settle the bill for last month’s deliveries. “We can’t supply gas for free,” he said. 
Gazprom transports most of its gas exports to Europe through pipelines crossing Ukrainian territory. Gas transit to Europe has not been interrupted during the Ukrainian crisis. 
Earlier this week, Gazprom said Ukraine would lose the discount it receives on Russian gas next month unless Kiev paid the gas debts. 
In Moscow’s Red Square on Friday, tens of thousands of people joined a rally and concert to support the Kremlin and Crimea’s aspirations to secede and join Russia.
Participants carrying banners saying “We Believe in Putin,” “Save Crimea from Fascists” and “Crimea is Russian Land” flocked into Red Square at the end of the working day and gathered round a stage installed on the east side of the Kremlin to listen to patriotic speeches and songs.Participants carrying banners saying “We Believe in Putin,” “Save Crimea from Fascists” and “Crimea is Russian Land” flocked into Red Square at the end of the working day and gathered round a stage installed on the east side of the Kremlin to listen to patriotic speeches and songs.
The event was somewhat reminiscent of Soviet-era demonstrations, with many people flagging their professional affiliations, from the Russian Union of Machine Builders to the Officers of Russia and the Council of Youth Agricultural Workers.The event was somewhat reminiscent of Soviet-era demonstrations, with many people flagging their professional affiliations, from the Russian Union of Machine Builders to the Officers of Russia and the Council of Youth Agricultural Workers.
Organizers distributed orange and black ribbons — the colors of Saint George that commemorate the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.Organizers distributed orange and black ribbons — the colors of Saint George that commemorate the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.
For a full hour on Friday evening, Red Square was thick with waving Russian flags and the banners of the pro-Kremlin United Russia political party. But as the Kremlin clock struck six o’clock, most demonstrators hurried away, many leaving their banners behind. For a full hour, Red Square was thick with waving Russian flags and the banners of the pro-Kremlin United Russia political party. But as the Kremlin clock struck six o’clock, most demonstrators hurried away, many leaving their banners behind.
One man, who would not give his name, saying he feared reprisals, claimed that his employers had ordered him to attend the rally. “I love my motherland and I am for Crimea so it’s all right to be here,” he said, adding that he would have been fired if he’d refused to attend.One man, who would not give his name, saying he feared reprisals, claimed that his employers had ordered him to attend the rally. “I love my motherland and I am for Crimea so it’s all right to be here,” he said, adding that he would have been fired if he’d refused to attend.
“You should understand that not much has changed since the Soviet Union,” he said. “We don’t have gulags any more, of course, but punishments are still very tough.”“You should understand that not much has changed since the Soviet Union,” he said. “We don’t have gulags any more, of course, but punishments are still very tough.”
Also on Friday, Russian state gas monopoly Gazprom stepped up pressure on Ukraine, warning that Russian gas supplies might dry up unless Kiev settled its gas debts. 
Alexei Miller, head of Gazprom, said Ukraine’s debt had jumped to $1.89 billion after Kiev missed a March 7 deadline to settle the bill for last month’s deliveries. “We can’t supply gas for free,” he said. 
Earlier this week, Gazprom said Ukraine would lose the discount it receives on Russian gas next month unless Kiev paid the gas debts. 
Gazprom transports most of its gas exports to Europe through pipelines crossing Ukrainian territory. Gas transit to Europe has not been interrupted during the Ukrainian crisis.