This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26593249
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Ukraine crisis: Moscow rally opposes Crimea intervention | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Thousands of people are attending a rally in the Russian capital Moscow to oppose its intervention in Ukraine a day before the region of Crimea votes to secede in favour of joining Russia. | Thousands of people are attending a rally in the Russian capital Moscow to oppose its intervention in Ukraine a day before the region of Crimea votes to secede in favour of joining Russia. |
Holding Russian and Ukrainian flags, they shouted: "The occupation of Crimea is Russia's disgrace." A smaller pro-Moscow rally was being held elsewhere. | |
Moscow supports the vote, which Ukraine and the West have dismissed as illegal. | Moscow supports the vote, which Ukraine and the West have dismissed as illegal. |
Kiev says Russian "provocateurs" are behind clashes in eastern Ukraine. | |
Three people have died in pro- and anti-Moscow rallies in the cities of Donetsk and Kharkiv with sides blaming each other. | Three people have died in pro- and anti-Moscow rallies in the cities of Donetsk and Kharkiv with sides blaming each other. |
Russia's military intervention in the Crimean peninsula - part of Russia until 1954 and host to its Black Sea fleet - followed the fall of Ukraine's pro-Moscow President Viktor Yanukovych on 22 February. | Russia's military intervention in the Crimean peninsula - part of Russia until 1954 and host to its Black Sea fleet - followed the fall of Ukraine's pro-Moscow President Viktor Yanukovych on 22 February. |
This followed months of unrest, sparked by Mr Yanukovych's decision not to sign a deal on closer ties with the European Union - opting instead for closer ties with Russia. | This followed months of unrest, sparked by Mr Yanukovych's decision not to sign a deal on closer ties with the European Union - opting instead for closer ties with Russia. |
Both the US and EU have threatened tough sanctions against Moscow. | Both the US and EU have threatened tough sanctions against Moscow. |
After two people were killed in Kharkiv on Friday, interim Ukrainian prime minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk said on his Facebook page: "Hired provocateurs from a neighbouring state are already playing on this situation and preparing provocations professionally. | |
"Former Ukrainian leaders, charged with crimes, are funding the planned disturbances in the country's south-east in co-ordination with the Russian extremist forces. Don't let them manipulate you." | |
Interim President Oleksander Turchinov echoed the charge, saying "Kremlin agents" were organising and funding the protests in eastern Ukraine. | Interim President Oleksander Turchinov echoed the charge, saying "Kremlin agents" were organising and funding the protests in eastern Ukraine. |
Moscow denies this, vowing to protect its "compatriots" from far-right radicals. | Moscow denies this, vowing to protect its "compatriots" from far-right radicals. |
In other developments: | In other developments: |
Sense of shame | Sense of shame |
Up to 50,000 people attended the rally in Moscow to oppose the government's intervention in Crimea and eastern Ukraine. | Up to 50,000 people attended the rally in Moscow to oppose the government's intervention in Crimea and eastern Ukraine. |
"Hands off Ukraine," some of the protesters shouted. | "Hands off Ukraine," some of the protesters shouted. |
"People who want peace between Ukraine and Russia have gathered here. That's why I'm here," one of the participants said. | "People who want peace between Ukraine and Russia have gathered here. That's why I'm here," one of the participants said. |
There is a sense of shame among protesters over the course that Moscow is following, says the BBC's Richard Galpin at the rally. | |
One man told the BBC he felt Russia was turning back to the days of Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin. | One man told the BBC he felt Russia was turning back to the days of Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin. |
At the pro-Kremlin rally, supporters of President Vladimir Putin, many wearing identical red outfits and carrying Russian and Soviet flags came out to support the Crimean referendum. | At the pro-Kremlin rally, supporters of President Vladimir Putin, many wearing identical red outfits and carrying Russian and Soviet flags came out to support the Crimean referendum. |
"We are for friendship of the Russian and Ukrainian peoples. We want to say a firm 'No' to the fascist junta that came to power in Ukraine and therefore we naturally want to support our comrades in Ukraine," one man said. | "We are for friendship of the Russian and Ukrainian peoples. We want to say a firm 'No' to the fascist junta that came to power in Ukraine and therefore we naturally want to support our comrades in Ukraine," one man said. |
On Friday, US Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held six hours of talks in London, but failed to reach agreement on how to resolve the Ukraine crisis. | On Friday, US Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held six hours of talks in London, but failed to reach agreement on how to resolve the Ukraine crisis. |
Mr Lavrov stressed that Moscow would "respect the will of the people of Crimea". | Mr Lavrov stressed that Moscow would "respect the will of the people of Crimea". |
Mr Kerry said the US acknowledged Russia's "legitimate interests" in Ukraine and had told Mr Lavrov that there would be consequences if Russia "does not find a way to change course". | Mr Kerry said the US acknowledged Russia's "legitimate interests" in Ukraine and had told Mr Lavrov that there would be consequences if Russia "does not find a way to change course". |
Are you in Crimea? Are you planning to vote in the referendum? Email us at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with the subject heading 'Crimea vote'. | Are you in Crimea? Are you planning to vote in the referendum? Email us at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with the subject heading 'Crimea vote'. |