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| Ukraine leader to visit White House this week as Russia cites ‘chaos’ | Ukraine leader to visit White House this week as Russia cites ‘chaos’ |
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| KIEV, Ukraine — Russia’s government on Monday accused right-wing militants and Ukraine’s new pro-Western government of causing “chaos” in the eastern part of the country, a day after the White House announced it would welcome Ukraine’s leader to Washington for a meeting with President Obama. | KIEV, Ukraine — Russia’s government on Monday accused right-wing militants and Ukraine’s new pro-Western government of causing “chaos” in the eastern part of the country, a day after the White House announced it would welcome Ukraine’s leader to Washington for a meeting with President Obama. |
| The Russian statement was likely to raise concerns of a widening conflict, even as pro-Russian forces extended their hold on the Crimean Peninsula. | The Russian statement was likely to raise concerns of a widening conflict, even as pro-Russian forces extended their hold on the Crimean Peninsula. |
| The announcement of a meeting in Washington on Wednesday between Obama and Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk came as pro-Russian forces surrounded a border post in western Crimea and blocked Ukrainian TV broadcasts to the heavily Russian-speaking region, which lies more than 400 miles southeast of the Ukrainian capital. There were reports of more troop movements into Crimea, with officials in Kiev estimating that 18,000 pro-Russian forces had fanned out across the region, which is about the size of Massachusetts. | The announcement of a meeting in Washington on Wednesday between Obama and Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk came as pro-Russian forces surrounded a border post in western Crimea and blocked Ukrainian TV broadcasts to the heavily Russian-speaking region, which lies more than 400 miles southeast of the Ukrainian capital. There were reports of more troop movements into Crimea, with officials in Kiev estimating that 18,000 pro-Russian forces had fanned out across the region, which is about the size of Massachusetts. |
| Troops believed to be Russian or pro-Russian stormed a number of Ukrainian military bases around Crimea on Monday. | Troops believed to be Russian or pro-Russian stormed a number of Ukrainian military bases around Crimea on Monday. |
| Vladislav Seleznyov, a Ukrainian Defense Department spokesman in Crimea, said that 200 armed men in uniforms arrived in 14 trucks around 1:30 a.m. Monday at an army missile base in Chernomorskoye, in western Crimea about 100 miles from Sevastopol, and ordered the troops on the base to give up their weapons. The Ukrainian soldiers refused but stored their weapons in an arsenal on the base and left, Seleznyov said. | Vladislav Seleznyov, a Ukrainian Defense Department spokesman in Crimea, said that 200 armed men in uniforms arrived in 14 trucks around 1:30 a.m. Monday at an army missile base in Chernomorskoye, in western Crimea about 100 miles from Sevastopol, and ordered the troops on the base to give up their weapons. The Ukrainian soldiers refused but stored their weapons in an arsenal on the base and left, Seleznyov said. |
| Two senior commanders remained on the base, and negotiations continued into the afternoon about its status and how to protect the missiles on the base, he said. Initial reports said that about 30 Ukrainian personnel were trapped inside. | Two senior commanders remained on the base, and negotiations continued into the afternoon about its status and how to protect the missiles on the base, he said. Initial reports said that about 30 Ukrainian personnel were trapped inside. |
| Chernomorskoye was the 11th Ukrainian base to be surrounded by Russian forces since they moved into the region Feb. 28, news agencies reported. | Chernomorskoye was the 11th Ukrainian base to be surrounded by Russian forces since they moved into the region Feb. 28, news agencies reported. |
| In addition, electricity to the Ukrainian navy headquarters in Sevastopol was severed around noon, he said. | In addition, electricity to the Ukrainian navy headquarters in Sevastopol was severed around noon, he said. |
| Five men identifying themselves as a self-defense unit appeared at a separate navy facility for radio communications at a village near Sevastopol, called Andreyevka, and demanded control of the base. It was not immediately clear whether that situation has been resolved. | Five men identifying themselves as a self-defense unit appeared at a separate navy facility for radio communications at a village near Sevastopol, called Andreyevka, and demanded control of the base. It was not immediately clear whether that situation has been resolved. |
| In the regional capital of Simferopol, Seleznyov said, an unarmed group of men calling themselves a Crimean self-defense unit appeared at a military hospital on Gorky Street and ordered the director to resign. They then appointed a new hospital director, who was meeting with the staff Monday afternoon. | In the regional capital of Simferopol, Seleznyov said, an unarmed group of men calling themselves a Crimean self-defense unit appeared at a military hospital on Gorky Street and ordered the director to resign. They then appointed a new hospital director, who was meeting with the staff Monday afternoon. |
| In addition, armed men appeared at two military bases around Bahchisaray, a Tatar village, and demanded 10 military trucks for the use of Crimean self defense, Seleznyov said. | In addition, armed men appeared at two military bases around Bahchisaray, a Tatar village, and demanded 10 military trucks for the use of Crimean self defense, Seleznyov said. |
| According to Lt. Col. Sergei Sadovnik, commander of a Ukrainian army logistics and transportation base in the Bahchisaray district, the base was taken over by a group of armed and uniformed men, several of whom appeared around him as he addressed reporters gathered outside the front gate Monday. | According to Lt. Col. Sergei Sadovnik, commander of a Ukrainian army logistics and transportation base in the Bahchisaray district, the base was taken over by a group of armed and uniformed men, several of whom appeared around him as he addressed reporters gathered outside the front gate Monday. |
| “I’m the commander of this unit. They invited me for a day and a half to be their guest,” he said with an ironic smile. “I was treated well, and they gave me food and water.” | “I’m the commander of this unit. They invited me for a day and a half to be their guest,” he said with an ironic smile. “I was treated well, and they gave me food and water.” |
| Asked if the assault had been violent, he replied, “It was like in a movie.” He said about 100 soldiers were inside and that none has been injured. | Asked if the assault had been violent, he replied, “It was like in a movie.” He said about 100 soldiers were inside and that none has been injured. |
| Sadovnik said he and his soldiers were isolated. “I have no link to my commanders now, even by phone,” he said. | Sadovnik said he and his soldiers were isolated. “I have no link to my commanders now, even by phone,” he said. |
| He was escorted inside by the armed militiamen. Then a spokesman for the captors came out and said, “We are here to take control of this base, to make sure there is no provocation and no violence.” | He was escorted inside by the armed militiamen. Then a spokesman for the captors came out and said, “We are here to take control of this base, to make sure there is no provocation and no violence.” |
| A middle-aged couple stood at front gate asking to be let inside to see their son serving on the base. When the militia leader ordered everyone to step back from the front gate, the mother replied: “I will not step aside. Parents can stay. My son is inside.” | A middle-aged couple stood at front gate asking to be let inside to see their son serving on the base. When the militia leader ordered everyone to step back from the front gate, the mother replied: “I will not step aside. Parents can stay. My son is inside.” |
| A local Orthodox priest wearing a gold cross around his neck and a long gray beard was escorted onto the base. He gave his name as Father Aleksander and said, “I am a priest in this military unit. I am worried for all those inside. These are my parishioners.” | A local Orthodox priest wearing a gold cross around his neck and a long gray beard was escorted onto the base. He gave his name as Father Aleksander and said, “I am a priest in this military unit. I am worried for all those inside. These are my parishioners.” |
| He added, “I want everything here to be peaceful. I am not interested in politics, only in spiritual services.” | He added, “I want everything here to be peaceful. I am not interested in politics, only in spiritual services.” |
| Just inside the front gate stood armed men wearing masks and carrying military assault rifles, plus about 15 other armed men in uniforms. No Ukrainian soldiers were visible except the commander. | Just inside the front gate stood armed men wearing masks and carrying military assault rifles, plus about 15 other armed men in uniforms. No Ukrainian soldiers were visible except the commander. |
| Outside the base, carloads of young men, most of them wearing armbands used by the pro-Russian militants, arrived to serve as guards at the front gate. | Outside the base, carloads of young men, most of them wearing armbands used by the pro-Russian militants, arrived to serve as guards at the front gate. |
| In Simferopol, the City Council said it has received complaints about people visiting apartment blocks and stealing or destroying passports used to prove identity for voting. In an open letter to citizens of Simferopol, the council said on its Web site that the visitors claim to be part of a referendum committee and ask to check the information on residents’ passports so they will be eligible to vote in the May 16 referendum on Crimea’s status. | |
| When the residents have produced their passports, however, the Web site said, the visitors have either grabbed the documents and run away or ripped them to pieces. | |
| A whirlwind of diplomacy continued Sunday — with Russian President Vladimir Putin speaking to German Chancellor Angela Merkel and British Prime Minister David Cameron — but there was no sign that Putin was willing to budge. | A whirlwind of diplomacy continued Sunday — with Russian President Vladimir Putin speaking to German Chancellor Angela Merkel and British Prime Minister David Cameron — but there was no sign that Putin was willing to budge. |
| The Yatsenyuk visit was announced Sunday by Tony Blinken, Obama’s deputy national security adviser. “What we’ve seen is the president mobilizing the international community in support of Ukraine to isolate Russia for its actions in Ukraine, and to reassure our allies and partners,” Blinken said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” | The Yatsenyuk visit was announced Sunday by Tony Blinken, Obama’s deputy national security adviser. “What we’ve seen is the president mobilizing the international community in support of Ukraine to isolate Russia for its actions in Ukraine, and to reassure our allies and partners,” Blinken said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” |
| Geoffrey R. Pyatt, the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, said at a news conference in Kiev that Obama’s talks with Yatsenyuk would focus on the Crimea crisis as well as the dire economic situation in Ukraine. He reiterated that there is no “military solution” to the crisis and called on the Ukrainian military to continue to show restraint in the standoff with Russia. | Geoffrey R. Pyatt, the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, said at a news conference in Kiev that Obama’s talks with Yatsenyuk would focus on the Crimea crisis as well as the dire economic situation in Ukraine. He reiterated that there is no “military solution” to the crisis and called on the Ukrainian military to continue to show restraint in the standoff with Russia. |
| He said diplomatic efforts were continuing, insisting that Washington and its European partners were in broad agreement on steps to push Russia toward direct talks with the new government in Kiev. | He said diplomatic efforts were continuing, insisting that Washington and its European partners were in broad agreement on steps to push Russia toward direct talks with the new government in Kiev. |
| The United States will not recognize the results of a Crimean referendum scheduled for Sunday on whether to join Russia or remain part of Ukraine with greater autonomy, Pyatt said. | The United States will not recognize the results of a Crimean referendum scheduled for Sunday on whether to join Russia or remain part of Ukraine with greater autonomy, Pyatt said. |
| “Any increase of the autonomy of Crimea should be done not under the barrel of a gun, but in a clear, transparent and constitutional process,” Pyatt said. | “Any increase of the autonomy of Crimea should be done not under the barrel of a gun, but in a clear, transparent and constitutional process,” Pyatt said. |
| He added that teams from the U.S. Treasury, Department of Justice and FBI had landed in Kiev and were actively working with the Ukrainians to follow money trails and unravel the “kleptocracy” of former president Viktor Yanukovych’s deposed government. | He added that teams from the U.S. Treasury, Department of Justice and FBI had landed in Kiev and were actively working with the Ukrainians to follow money trails and unravel the “kleptocracy” of former president Viktor Yanukovych’s deposed government. |
| Yanukovych plans to make a public statement Tuesday in the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don, Russia’s Interfax news agency said, quoting a source close to Yanukovych. The time and place were not specified. Yanukovych has mostly kept out of sight since fleeing Ukraine, although he gave a news conference in Rostov-on-Don on Feb. 28, when he said he would not ask Russia to send troops to Ukraine. A few days later, Russian officials said he had written a letter the next day appealing for military help. | Yanukovych plans to make a public statement Tuesday in the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don, Russia’s Interfax news agency said, quoting a source close to Yanukovych. The time and place were not specified. Yanukovych has mostly kept out of sight since fleeing Ukraine, although he gave a news conference in Rostov-on-Don on Feb. 28, when he said he would not ask Russia to send troops to Ukraine. A few days later, Russian officials said he had written a letter the next day appealing for military help. |
| Raising concerns of unrest beyond Crimea, local news media and Interfax reported that hundreds of activists brandishing Russian flags had broken into a government building in the eastern Ukrainian city of Luhansk. They reportedly forced the mayor to write a resignation letter and raised the Russian flag over the building. The incursion occurred two days after a similar protest in the eastern city of Donetsk was put down by authorities loyal to the new government in Kiev. | Raising concerns of unrest beyond Crimea, local news media and Interfax reported that hundreds of activists brandishing Russian flags had broken into a government building in the eastern Ukrainian city of Luhansk. They reportedly forced the mayor to write a resignation letter and raised the Russian flag over the building. The incursion occurred two days after a similar protest in the eastern city of Donetsk was put down by authorities loyal to the new government in Kiev. |
| Russia’s Foreign Ministry on Monday said it was “outraged by the chaos which is currently ruling in eastern regions of Ukraine” and blamed both right-wing militants and the “connivance of the new authorities,” according to Interfax. The ministry alleged that “well-equipped people in masks and with firearms opened fire at peaceful protesters” in the eastern city of Kharkiv on Saturday, causing injuries. | Russia’s Foreign Ministry on Monday said it was “outraged by the chaos which is currently ruling in eastern regions of Ukraine” and blamed both right-wing militants and the “connivance of the new authorities,” according to Interfax. The ministry alleged that “well-equipped people in masks and with firearms opened fire at peaceful protesters” in the eastern city of Kharkiv on Saturday, causing injuries. |
| The statement could be seen as part of a pretext for Russian military intervention into areas of Ukraine beyond Crimea. In a news conference last week, Putin said he saw no reason to send in troops, but he kept that option open if Russian-speakers were threatened in the nation’s south and east. | The statement could be seen as part of a pretext for Russian military intervention into areas of Ukraine beyond Crimea. In a news conference last week, Putin said he saw no reason to send in troops, but he kept that option open if Russian-speakers were threatened in the nation’s south and east. |
| While tensions were high in eastern Ukraine, Crimea remained the core of concern. According to a spokeswoman for the Ukrainian coast guard, most Ukrainian broadcasts in the region were jammed beginning mid-afternoon Sunday. The only Ukrainian TV programming that could be seen by a reporter in Sevastopol was on two channels, one showing movies and the other soccer. | While tensions were high in eastern Ukraine, Crimea remained the core of concern. According to a spokeswoman for the Ukrainian coast guard, most Ukrainian broadcasts in the region were jammed beginning mid-afternoon Sunday. The only Ukrainian TV programming that could be seen by a reporter in Sevastopol was on two channels, one showing movies and the other soccer. |
| On Sunday, Sevastopol — home of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet — was awash in Russian flags as the rest of Ukraine was celebrating the 200th birthday of national hero and poet Taras Shevchenko. Matrons walking down the street in woolen coats and sensible shoes had Russian flag ribbons tied to the straps of their purses. Children skated through squares wearing armbands with the tricolor stripes of the Russian flag. | On Sunday, Sevastopol — home of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet — was awash in Russian flags as the rest of Ukraine was celebrating the 200th birthday of national hero and poet Taras Shevchenko. Matrons walking down the street in woolen coats and sensible shoes had Russian flag ribbons tied to the straps of their purses. Children skated through squares wearing armbands with the tricolor stripes of the Russian flag. |
| Some of those who tried to show their Ukrainian pride paid a price. Several people at a pro-Ukrainian rally were beaten up by pro-Russian activists, said Dima Belotserkovets, a pro-Ukrainian activist. He said he and others were kicked and punched until police eventually came to their rescue. Ten pro-Ukrainian activists were detained but later released, he said. At least one other was still in the hospital, Belotserkovets said, and one was unaccounted for. | Some of those who tried to show their Ukrainian pride paid a price. Several people at a pro-Ukrainian rally were beaten up by pro-Russian activists, said Dima Belotserkovets, a pro-Ukrainian activist. He said he and others were kicked and punched until police eventually came to their rescue. Ten pro-Ukrainian activists were detained but later released, he said. At least one other was still in the hospital, Belotserkovets said, and one was unaccounted for. |
| Putin defends referendum | Putin defends referendum |
| Russia held out a financial carrot to Crimea, offering 40 billion rubles ($1.1 billion) in support if the peninsula voted in favor of joining Russia in a March 16 referendum. That vote was called by pro-Russian lawmakers who seized control of Crimea’s parliament on Feb. 27. | Russia held out a financial carrot to Crimea, offering 40 billion rubles ($1.1 billion) in support if the peninsula voted in favor of joining Russia in a March 16 referendum. That vote was called by pro-Russian lawmakers who seized control of Crimea’s parliament on Feb. 27. |
| Sergei Aksyonov, the self-declared provincial leader in Crimea, told Russia’s RIA news service that if the territory becomes part of Russia, his government would encourage the use of two languages — Russian and Crimean Tatar — but not Ukrainian, RIA reported on Monday. | Sergei Aksyonov, the self-declared provincial leader in Crimea, told Russia’s RIA news service that if the territory becomes part of Russia, his government would encourage the use of two languages — Russian and Crimean Tatar — but not Ukrainian, RIA reported on Monday. |
| In a phone call with Putin, Merkel called the planned referendum “illegal” and urged Putin to de-escalate the situation, according to a German government spokesman. Blinken said Sunday that if the vote favors annexing Crimea to Russia, “we won’t recognize it, and most of the world won’t either.” | In a phone call with Putin, Merkel called the planned referendum “illegal” and urged Putin to de-escalate the situation, according to a German government spokesman. Blinken said Sunday that if the vote favors annexing Crimea to Russia, “we won’t recognize it, and most of the world won’t either.” |
| Putin also spoke with Cameron, who continued a push for the Russian leader to support a contact group that could arrange direct talks between him and the new government in Kiev, according to a spokeswoman at the British prime minister’s office. | Putin also spoke with Cameron, who continued a push for the Russian leader to support a contact group that could arrange direct talks between him and the new government in Kiev, according to a spokeswoman at the British prime minister’s office. |
| But the Kremlin’s news service said Putin stressed that “the steps being taken by the legitimate Crimean authorities are based on international law and aim to protect the legitimate interests of the population of the Crimea.” | But the Kremlin’s news service said Putin stressed that “the steps being taken by the legitimate Crimean authorities are based on international law and aim to protect the legitimate interests of the population of the Crimea.” |
| The Chinese government signaled Monday that it will continue to stay out of the crisis, with President Xi Jinping telling President Obama in a phone call that it is “very important for all parties concerned to remain calm and exercise restraint,” according to the state-run Xinhua news service. | The Chinese government signaled Monday that it will continue to stay out of the crisis, with President Xi Jinping telling President Obama in a phone call that it is “very important for all parties concerned to remain calm and exercise restraint,” according to the state-run Xinhua news service. |
| Tension at military bases | Tension at military bases |
| On Sunday, Ukrainian military bases around Sevastopol were tense but largely quiet, with commanders saying that they were trying to avoid responding to provocations. | On Sunday, Ukrainian military bases around Sevastopol were tense but largely quiet, with commanders saying that they were trying to avoid responding to provocations. |
| At one isolated base a half-hour outside Sevastopol, a sign taped to the gate read “Thank you for staying faithful to your oath.” Outside the gate, a half-dozen men in uniforms — part of the pro-Russian “self-defense forces” — milled around. | At one isolated base a half-hour outside Sevastopol, a sign taped to the gate read “Thank you for staying faithful to your oath.” Outside the gate, a half-dozen men in uniforms — part of the pro-Russian “self-defense forces” — milled around. |
| “They say they are here to defend us from ‘terrorist attacks,’ ” said Col. Andrei Ivanchenko, the Ukrainian base commander, using his fingers to draw air quotes around the words. “They don’t talk to us. But they are peaceful.” | “They say they are here to defend us from ‘terrorist attacks,’ ” said Col. Andrei Ivanchenko, the Ukrainian base commander, using his fingers to draw air quotes around the words. “They don’t talk to us. But they are peaceful.” |
| Ivanchenko said the self-defense units report to a commander in the Russian military, a colonel who had come to the base four days earlier and told the Ukrainians to disarm. Ivanchenko said Russian troops stayed outside the facility, with snipers posted on nearby rooftops. | Ivanchenko said the self-defense units report to a commander in the Russian military, a colonel who had come to the base four days earlier and told the Ukrainians to disarm. Ivanchenko said Russian troops stayed outside the facility, with snipers posted on nearby rooftops. |
| He said the base had been receiving food and calls of support from civilians. Pointing to a Ukrainian flag flying on a pole at the base entrance, he said morale among those inside was “as high as that banner.” | He said the base had been receiving food and calls of support from civilians. Pointing to a Ukrainian flag flying on a pole at the base entrance, he said morale among those inside was “as high as that banner.” |
| No Russian or self-defense troops were visible at a nearby Ukrainian air force base that was stormed Friday night by Russian troops. But Lt. Col. Andrei Aladashvili, the base commander, said the installation was under the constant observation of Russians stationed on nearby rooftops and in apartment buildings. | No Russian or self-defense troops were visible at a nearby Ukrainian air force base that was stormed Friday night by Russian troops. But Lt. Col. Andrei Aladashvili, the base commander, said the installation was under the constant observation of Russians stationed on nearby rooftops and in apartment buildings. |
| About 50 people were inside the base, he said, half of them women. All the weapons in the facility had been removed and sent to an arsenal, he said, to avoid any incident. | About 50 people were inside the base, he said, half of them women. All the weapons in the facility had been removed and sent to an arsenal, he said, to avoid any incident. |
| “Our main task is not to use our weapons, not to have any victims,” he said. “We must not react to any provocation. That is the most important thing.” | “Our main task is not to use our weapons, not to have any victims,” he said. “We must not react to any provocation. That is the most important thing.” |
| Aladashvili described a harrowing attack on the base Friday night, when a Russian military truck tried to ram through the front gate about 7:30 p.m. and Russian soldiers scrambled over the low walls surrounding the facility. The Ukrainian troops on the base lined up just inside the gate, he said, forming a human shield to defend their facility. The Russian soldiers threatened to shoot them in the backs if they did not move, Aladashvili said. | Aladashvili described a harrowing attack on the base Friday night, when a Russian military truck tried to ram through the front gate about 7:30 p.m. and Russian soldiers scrambled over the low walls surrounding the facility. The Ukrainian troops on the base lined up just inside the gate, he said, forming a human shield to defend their facility. The Russian soldiers threatened to shoot them in the backs if they did not move, Aladashvili said. |
| The standoff continued for five hours while Russian and Ukrainian commanders negotiated over the phone, and, eventually, the Russians left at 12:30 a.m. Saturday, Aladashvili said. | The standoff continued for five hours while Russian and Ukrainian commanders negotiated over the phone, and, eventually, the Russians left at 12:30 a.m. Saturday, Aladashvili said. |
| Morello reported from Sevastopol. Pamela Constable in Crimea, Isabel Gorst in Moscow, Philip Rucker in Washington and Griff Witte in London contributed to this report. | Morello reported from Sevastopol. Pamela Constable in Crimea, Isabel Gorst in Moscow, Philip Rucker in Washington and Griff Witte in London contributed to this report. |