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| Moscow orders arrest of Right Sector leader | Moscow orders arrest of Right Sector leader |
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| MOSCOW — Russia on Wednesday intensified the pressure on Ukraine’s new leadership, issuing an arrest warrant for the leader of the militant faction that toppled the government there and sparked a Russian military takeover of Crimea. | MOSCOW — Russia on Wednesday intensified the pressure on Ukraine’s new leadership, issuing an arrest warrant for the leader of the militant faction that toppled the government there and sparked a Russian military takeover of Crimea. |
| Meanwhile, Crimean officials said they had closed the region’s civilian airport to flights from the rest of Ukraine in order to prevent “provocateurs” from entering ahead of a Sunday referendum on whether to secede and become part of Russia. | Meanwhile, Crimean officials said they had closed the region’s civilian airport to flights from the rest of Ukraine in order to prevent “provocateurs” from entering ahead of a Sunday referendum on whether to secede and become part of Russia. |
| The actions come as President Obama prepares to host Ukraine’s interim prime minister, Arseniy Yatsenyuk, in a prominent display of support for Ukraine’s fledgling leadership. Yatsenyuk is due at the White House on Wednesday afternoon as the U.S. and European allies consider a range of financial, trade and other support for the new government in Kiev, as well as possible sanctions against Russia for its military push into Crimea. | |
| Now firmly under Moscow’s control, Crimea is planning to hold a secession vote on Sunday — an action that the U.S. and Europe are trying to prevent. | Now firmly under Moscow’s control, Crimea is planning to hold a secession vote on Sunday — an action that the U.S. and Europe are trying to prevent. |
| Events on the ground, however, showed no let up in the effort to possibly divide the country. Crimea has deep ethnic and historic ties to Russia, and regional officials are treating the outcome of the vote as a foregone conclusion. | Events on the ground, however, showed no let up in the effort to possibly divide the country. Crimea has deep ethnic and historic ties to Russia, and regional officials are treating the outcome of the vote as a foregone conclusion. |
| A Crimean official announced in a television broadcast that the regional government would soon take possession of Ukraine’s state-owned companies in the area, including an energy firm and railway, the Reuters news service reported. | |
| The Russian Interfax news agency reported that the civilian airport at Simferopol will remain closed until Monday — the day after the secession vote. | |
| “Bearing in mind the possible influx of provocateurs, we have limited plane arrivals,” Crimean First Deputy Prime Minister Rustam Temirgaliyev told Interfax. “All limitations will be lifted after March 17 and the airport will resume its normal operation.” | “Bearing in mind the possible influx of provocateurs, we have limited plane arrivals,” Crimean First Deputy Prime Minister Rustam Temirgaliyev told Interfax. “All limitations will be lifted after March 17 and the airport will resume its normal operation.” |
| Currently, the only flights operating are to and from Moscow. A flight from Kiev was turned back on Monday, and Turkish Airlines has suspended flights from Istanbul. | |
| Russian troops are also continuing to expand their field infrastructure around Crimea. | Russian troops are also continuing to expand their field infrastructure around Crimea. |
| According to Vladislav Seleznyov, a spokesman for the Ukrainian military, Russia has established a medical unit at an airbase near the city of Dzhankoy in northern Crimea, and more equipment is being moved in and installed on Wednesday. He said about 300 Russian troops are believed to be on the base. He said five Russian helicopters landed there Tuesday -- one an MI-8 and four MI-24 helicopters. | According to Vladislav Seleznyov, a spokesman for the Ukrainian military, Russia has established a medical unit at an airbase near the city of Dzhankoy in northern Crimea, and more equipment is being moved in and installed on Wednesday. He said about 300 Russian troops are believed to be on the base. He said five Russian helicopters landed there Tuesday -- one an MI-8 and four MI-24 helicopters. |
| The court order in Moscow was issued in absentia for Dmytro Yarosh, head of the Right Sector movement and deputy director of Ukraine’s Security Council, accused of inciting “terrorist operations” in parts of Russia. In a separate action, a Russian agency warned a local Web site for publishing statements by another Right Sector leader — a sign of Moscow’s determined push to cast the backers of the new government as extremists. | The court order in Moscow was issued in absentia for Dmytro Yarosh, head of the Right Sector movement and deputy director of Ukraine’s Security Council, accused of inciting “terrorist operations” in parts of Russia. In a separate action, a Russian agency warned a local Web site for publishing statements by another Right Sector leader — a sign of Moscow’s determined push to cast the backers of the new government as extremists. |
| The right-wing movement provided much of the muscle when demonstrators in Kiev confronted police in the conflict that toppled Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych — who is now in Russia but has declared he will return and reassert control. | |
| Russia has accused Yarosh of violating a Russian law prohibiting extremism in the mass media by publishing an appeal to militants in the North Caucasus of Russia “to step up extremist and terrorist operations against Russia.” | Russia has accused Yarosh of violating a Russian law prohibiting extremism in the mass media by publishing an appeal to militants in the North Caucasus of Russia “to step up extremist and terrorist operations against Russia.” |
| Yarosh has said the statement was placed on his Web site by hackers, suggesting Russia was behind the attack on his site. | Yarosh has said the statement was placed on his Web site by hackers, suggesting Russia was behind the attack on his site. |
| Ukrainian officials have said they have no intention of detaining or extraditing Yarosh. | Ukrainian officials have said they have no intention of detaining or extraditing Yarosh. |
| The Russia agency that supervises the media also issued a warning Wednesday to the Lenta.ru news site for publishing an interview with Andriy Tarasenko, the head of Right Sector’s Kiev office. The article had a link to statements by Yarosh, which the agency said was a violation of the law against extremism. | The Russia agency that supervises the media also issued a warning Wednesday to the Lenta.ru news site for publishing an interview with Andriy Tarasenko, the head of Right Sector’s Kiev office. The article had a link to statements by Yarosh, which the agency said was a violation of the law against extremism. |
| As Crimea grew more militarized and isolated Tuesday, hopes for a diplomatic solution to the Ukraine crisis looked increasingly faint. While NATO planes monitor Russian activity from Polish and Romanian airspace, European politicians said they were preparing to punish Russia with sanctions within days. | |
| British Prime Minister David Cameron, speaking in Tel Aviv, said the first steps could include a travel ban targeted against “prominent” members of the Russian parliament. | |
| European officials met in London on Tuesday to draw up penalties they could impose against Russia, likely to include asset freezes and visa restrictions, unless the country accepts a U.S. proposal to stop its expansion in Crimea and start discussions with Ukraine’s new government. Until now, Western efforts to curb Russia’s actions have focused on rhetoric and largely symbolic gestures, rather than measures that would cause meaningful pain in Moscow. | |
| The European restrictions could mark a substantial escalation in a conflict that has pitted Russia against the West in a way not seen since the Cold War. But the Obama administration has refused to set a deadline for U.S. sanctions or indicate a specific Russian action that would trigger them. And analysts say that even tough sanctions are unlikely to force Russian President Vladimir Putin to change course in Ukraine, given the depth of Russian interests there. | The European restrictions could mark a substantial escalation in a conflict that has pitted Russia against the West in a way not seen since the Cold War. But the Obama administration has refused to set a deadline for U.S. sanctions or indicate a specific Russian action that would trigger them. And analysts say that even tough sanctions are unlikely to force Russian President Vladimir Putin to change course in Ukraine, given the depth of Russian interests there. |
| “For the Kremlin, and the wider elites that support it, the fate of Ukraine is a vital interest. They’ve tied Ukraine’s future to their own,” said James Sherr, an associate fellow at the London-based think tank Chatham House. “Any sanctions the E.U. is likely to come up with will not be sufficient to change that calculation.” | “For the Kremlin, and the wider elites that support it, the fate of Ukraine is a vital interest. They’ve tied Ukraine’s future to their own,” said James Sherr, an associate fellow at the London-based think tank Chatham House. “Any sanctions the E.U. is likely to come up with will not be sufficient to change that calculation.” |
| In Washington, State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said the Treasury Department is working on an escalating set of measures that allow the United States to “calibrate sanctions and other actions depending on the steps that Russia takes.” | In Washington, State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said the Treasury Department is working on an escalating set of measures that allow the United States to “calibrate sanctions and other actions depending on the steps that Russia takes.” |
| She added that Russia had replied to a list of U.S. requirements and suggestions to ease tension, but she said the response duplicated positions Moscow took last week during meetings between Secretary of State John F. Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. | She added that Russia had replied to a list of U.S. requirements and suggestions to ease tension, but she said the response duplicated positions Moscow took last week during meetings between Secretary of State John F. Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. |
| While diplomatic efforts floundered, the situation in Ukraine continued to change swiftly. As the regional Crimean parliament approved a declaration of independence, the government in Kiev established a new national guard and acknowledged that the nation’s armed forces were hardly up to a fight with Russia. | While diplomatic efforts floundered, the situation in Ukraine continued to change swiftly. As the regional Crimean parliament approved a declaration of independence, the government in Kiev established a new national guard and acknowledged that the nation’s armed forces were hardly up to a fight with Russia. |
| Acting President Oleksandr Turchynov said Ukraine would have to rebuild its military “effectively from scratch.” The pro-Western leader said it has only 6,000 combat-ready infantry, compared with 200,000 Russian troops on Ukraine’s eastern border. | Acting President Oleksandr Turchynov said Ukraine would have to rebuild its military “effectively from scratch.” The pro-Western leader said it has only 6,000 combat-ready infantry, compared with 200,000 Russian troops on Ukraine’s eastern border. |
| Meanwhile, Russian soldiers and the paramilitary “self-defense” units under the command of the Russian military continued their step-by-step takeover of Crimea. On Tuesday, they were in control and standing guard at several military bases, with Ukrainian troops cornered inside. | Meanwhile, Russian soldiers and the paramilitary “self-defense” units under the command of the Russian military continued their step-by-step takeover of Crimea. On Tuesday, they were in control and standing guard at several military bases, with Ukrainian troops cornered inside. |
| In the regional capital, Simferopol, witnesses reported that pro-Russian forces had taken over the prosecutor’s office and the railway administration. | In the regional capital, Simferopol, witnesses reported that pro-Russian forces had taken over the prosecutor’s office and the railway administration. |
| Several urban military facilities in Simferopol are surrounded by sandbags and land mines. Pro-Russian troops patrolled outside the airport and were stationed inside official buildings. | Several urban military facilities in Simferopol are surrounded by sandbags and land mines. Pro-Russian troops patrolled outside the airport and were stationed inside official buildings. |
| Government officials reached by telephone said armed men had entered their workplaces forcibly, taken away their phones and rifled through their documents. They said that they were not told to leave but that armed men remained stationed in the corridors. | Government officials reached by telephone said armed men had entered their workplaces forcibly, taken away their phones and rifled through their documents. They said that they were not told to leave but that armed men remained stationed in the corridors. |
| Still, in the city centers life went on largely unimpeded, with few signs of a military buildup. But ahead of a Sunday referendum on whether Crimea should remain in Ukraine or become part of Russia, billboards and posters popped up for what has become a one-sided campaign. The signs, all favoring Russia, boiled down the choice to one between being annexed to Russia or enduring fascism and Nazism by staying in Ukraine. | Still, in the city centers life went on largely unimpeded, with few signs of a military buildup. But ahead of a Sunday referendum on whether Crimea should remain in Ukraine or become part of Russia, billboards and posters popped up for what has become a one-sided campaign. The signs, all favoring Russia, boiled down the choice to one between being annexed to Russia or enduring fascism and Nazism by staying in Ukraine. |
| One billboard showed two maps of Crimea: one adorned with a swastika, the other with the tricolor stripes of the Russian flag. Another showed the acronym NATO with an X drawn over it in a way that suggests a vulgarity in Russian. | One billboard showed two maps of Crimea: one adorned with a swastika, the other with the tricolor stripes of the Russian flag. Another showed the acronym NATO with an X drawn over it in a way that suggests a vulgarity in Russian. |
| Crimean authorities are moving apace as if the referendum had already taken place. On Tuesday, the regional parliament voted to declare Crimea an independent state, a move evidently aimed at legally smoothing the way for the region’s annexation to Russia. | Crimean authorities are moving apace as if the referendum had already taken place. On Tuesday, the regional parliament voted to declare Crimea an independent state, a move evidently aimed at legally smoothing the way for the region’s annexation to Russia. |
| The 78 to 3 parliament vote was denounced by human rights and opposition activists, who have urged a boycott of the referendum. | The 78 to 3 parliament vote was denounced by human rights and opposition activists, who have urged a boycott of the referendum. |
| Alex Mnatsakanian, a Moscow-based human rights activist now working in Simferopol, described pro-Russian Crimean leaders as a “locomotive” trying to rush through annexation under a thin cover of legislative decrees with no legal standing. | Alex Mnatsakanian, a Moscow-based human rights activist now working in Simferopol, described pro-Russian Crimean leaders as a “locomotive” trying to rush through annexation under a thin cover of legislative decrees with no legal standing. |
| “They are trying to make a trick that will stop the world from blaming Russia,” Mnatsakanian said. “But if they are trying to put a good face on it, this is impossible with all the Russian forces who are everywhere in Crimea now. It is just a circus.” | “They are trying to make a trick that will stop the world from blaming Russia,” Mnatsakanian said. “But if they are trying to put a good face on it, this is impossible with all the Russian forces who are everywhere in Crimea now. It is just a circus.” |
| Another perspective was offered by deposed president Yanukovych, who said Tuesday that a junta in Kiev had provoked Crimea to secede by spreading lawlessness and refusing to protect civilians from violence. | Another perspective was offered by deposed president Yanukovych, who said Tuesday that a junta in Kiev had provoked Crimea to secede by spreading lawlessness and refusing to protect civilians from violence. |
| Yanukovych, speaking at a shopping center in the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don, accused the West and the United States of backing fascists in Ukraine, an allegation regularly made by Russian authorities. | Yanukovych, speaking at a shopping center in the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don, accused the West and the United States of backing fascists in Ukraine, an allegation regularly made by Russian authorities. |
| “There is a gang of ultranationalists and fascists operating the government,” he said. “I would like to ask those who cover for these dark forces in the West: Are you blind? Have you forgotten what fascism is?” | “There is a gang of ultranationalists and fascists operating the government,” he said. “I would like to ask those who cover for these dark forces in the West: Are you blind? Have you forgotten what fascism is?” |
| Yanukovych railed against the United States for offering $1 billion in aid to the new Ukrainian government and said he intended to ask the U.S. Congress and the U.S. Supreme Court to investigate the legality of such a move. | Yanukovych railed against the United States for offering $1 billion in aid to the new Ukrainian government and said he intended to ask the U.S. Congress and the U.S. Supreme Court to investigate the legality of such a move. |
| The Russian Foreign Ministry also cited U.S. law, specifically the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. | The Russian Foreign Ministry also cited U.S. law, specifically the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. |
| U.S. financial aid to the government of a country whose legitimately elected president has been overthrown as a result of a military coup or an unlawful decision is illegal, a ministry statement said. But the section of U.S. code that the statement cited referred specifically to U.S. aid to Pakistan, not Ukraine or any other country. | U.S. financial aid to the government of a country whose legitimately elected president has been overthrown as a result of a military coup or an unlawful decision is illegal, a ministry statement said. But the section of U.S. code that the statement cited referred specifically to U.S. aid to Pakistan, not Ukraine or any other country. |
| Meanwhile,Yatsenyuk, the interim prime minister, called on Western nations to defend Ukraine against Russia. He called Russia a nation “that is armed to the teeth and that has nuclear weapons.” | Meanwhile,Yatsenyuk, the interim prime minister, called on Western nations to defend Ukraine against Russia. He called Russia a nation “that is armed to the teeth and that has nuclear weapons.” |
| kathy.lally@washpost.com | kathy.lally@washpost.com |
| Morello reported from Sevastopol. Pamela Constable in Simferopol, Will Englund in Moscow, Griff Witte in London, and Anne Gearan and Karen DeYoung in Washington contributed to this report. | Morello reported from Sevastopol. Pamela Constable in Simferopol, Will Englund in Moscow, Griff Witte in London, and Anne Gearan and Karen DeYoung in Washington contributed to this report. |