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Russian Forces Release Ukraine Naval Commander, Reports Say Russian Forces Release Ukraine Naval Commander, Reports Say
(35 minutes later)
SEVASTOPOL, Crimea — Russian forces and their Crimean militia allies were reported on Thursday to have released the commander of the Ukrainian Navy, seized in his own headquarters here as Moscow’s annexation of the strategic Black Sea peninsula forced the authorities in Kiev to begin planning for the evacuation of their forces to mainland Ukraine.SEVASTOPOL, Crimea — Russian forces and their Crimean militia allies were reported on Thursday to have released the commander of the Ukrainian Navy, seized in his own headquarters here as Moscow’s annexation of the strategic Black Sea peninsula forced the authorities in Kiev to begin planning for the evacuation of their forces to mainland Ukraine.
The commander’s detention reflected the blistering pace of the Kremlin’s takeover of Crimea. President Vladimir V. Putin has described Crimea as an “inalienable” part of Russia, a statement reinforced by Moscow’s military occupation of key facilities.The commander’s detention reflected the blistering pace of the Kremlin’s takeover of Crimea. President Vladimir V. Putin has described Crimea as an “inalienable” part of Russia, a statement reinforced by Moscow’s military occupation of key facilities.
Thousands of Ukrainian soldiers and sailors have been trapped on bases and other installations here for more than two weeks, surrounded by heavily armed Russian forces and loosely organized local militia.Thousands of Ukrainian soldiers and sailors have been trapped on bases and other installations here for more than two weeks, surrounded by heavily armed Russian forces and loosely organized local militia.
On Wednesday, militiamen backed by Russian forces seized the headquarters of the Ukrainian Navy in Sevastopol and detained its commander in what appeared to be the start of a concerted effort to oust the Ukrainian armed forces from bases throughout the peninsula.On Wednesday, militiamen backed by Russian forces seized the headquarters of the Ukrainian Navy in Sevastopol and detained its commander in what appeared to be the start of a concerted effort to oust the Ukrainian armed forces from bases throughout the peninsula.
Word of the commander’s release on Thursday came first from the website of Ukraine’s acting president, news reports said, without giving details. Word of the commander’s release on Thursday came first from the website of Ukraine’s acting president, without giving details.
The Ukrainian government said on Wednesday that it had drawn up plans to evacuate its roughly 25,000 military personnel and their families to mainland Ukraine.The Ukrainian government said on Wednesday that it had drawn up plans to evacuate its roughly 25,000 military personnel and their families to mainland Ukraine.
While the provisional government in Kiev has insisted that Russia’s annexation of Crimea is illegal and has appealed to international supporters for help, the evacuation announcement by the head of the national security council, Andriy Parubiy, effectively amounted to a surrender of Crimea, at least from a military standpoint.While the provisional government in Kiev has insisted that Russia’s annexation of Crimea is illegal and has appealed to international supporters for help, the evacuation announcement by the head of the national security council, Andriy Parubiy, effectively amounted to a surrender of Crimea, at least from a military standpoint.
In the fevered atmosphere following Russia’s takeover, and against a backdrop of European threats to impose more sanctions, a Ukrainian diplomat said further military moves by the Kremlin were possible. “There are indications that Russia is on its way to unleash a full-blown military intervention in Ukraine’s east and south,” Yuri Klymenko, Ukraine’s ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, told diplomats on Thursday at a briefing on human rights in Ukraine, Reuters reported.
In Kiev, the provisional government also said that it would quit the Commonwealth of Independent States, the group of former Soviet republics, and that it was considering imposing visa requirements on Russian citizens — a step that would potentially create huge inconveniences for Ukrainians as well in the likely event that Russia reciprocated.In Kiev, the provisional government also said that it would quit the Commonwealth of Independent States, the group of former Soviet republics, and that it was considering imposing visa requirements on Russian citizens — a step that would potentially create huge inconveniences for Ukrainians as well in the likely event that Russia reciprocated.
But the Ukrainian authorities seemed to be backing away from the threat on Thursday. Arseniy P. Yatsenyuk, the interim prime minister, was quoted as saying that Ukraine should not be in a hurry to impose restrictions that were “most unlikely” to sway Russia and could rebound on Ukrainian citizens in the east of the country.But the Ukrainian authorities seemed to be backing away from the threat on Thursday. Arseniy P. Yatsenyuk, the interim prime minister, was quoted as saying that Ukraine should not be in a hurry to impose restrictions that were “most unlikely” to sway Russia and could rebound on Ukrainian citizens in the east of the country.
Mr. Putin opened a meeting of senior government ministers outside Moscow on Wednesday by demanding updates on transportation and infrastructure in Crimea. Mr. Putin ordered that the government move swiftly to begin construction of a bridge that would provide an overland link for cars and trains directly between Crimea and Russia. At present, no such link exists.Mr. Putin opened a meeting of senior government ministers outside Moscow on Wednesday by demanding updates on transportation and infrastructure in Crimea. Mr. Putin ordered that the government move swiftly to begin construction of a bridge that would provide an overland link for cars and trains directly between Crimea and Russia. At present, no such link exists.
The takeover of the base proceeded as anger intensified in the West over Russia’s move to annex Crimea, with calls for Russia’s expulsion from important international bodies like the Group of 8 leading economic powers. At the same time, Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. continued his effort to reassure American allies in the Baltic region, once part of the Soviet Union, that the United States would protect them from any aggression by Russia.The takeover of the base proceeded as anger intensified in the West over Russia’s move to annex Crimea, with calls for Russia’s expulsion from important international bodies like the Group of 8 leading economic powers. At the same time, Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. continued his effort to reassure American allies in the Baltic region, once part of the Soviet Union, that the United States would protect them from any aggression by Russia.
The United Nations said that Ban Ki-moon, the secretary general, was to travel to Moscow and Kiev on Thursday and Friday for meetings with leaders, including Mr. Putin, whose moves to reclaim Crimea have set off the biggest crisis in East-West relations since the Soviet Union’s demise more than two decades ago.The United Nations said that Ban Ki-moon, the secretary general, was to travel to Moscow and Kiev on Thursday and Friday for meetings with leaders, including Mr. Putin, whose moves to reclaim Crimea have set off the biggest crisis in East-West relations since the Soviet Union’s demise more than two decades ago.
Mr. Ban has expressed disappointment over the Kremlin-backed referendum in Crimea last weekend that created the basis for Russia’s annexation, but he has said nothing about whether he considered the Russian step to be illegal. The United States and other Western members of the Security Council proposed a resolution on Saturday declaring the referendum illegal, but Russia, acting alone, vetoed that measure.Mr. Ban has expressed disappointment over the Kremlin-backed referendum in Crimea last weekend that created the basis for Russia’s annexation, but he has said nothing about whether he considered the Russian step to be illegal. The United States and other Western members of the Security Council proposed a resolution on Saturday declaring the referendum illegal, but Russia, acting alone, vetoed that measure.
At the Ukrainian naval headquarters here on Wednesday, soldiers with machine guns, wearing green camouflage but no identifying insignia, were deployed in and around the base. A large military truck just outside the base bore the black-and-white license plates of the Russian forces.At the Ukrainian naval headquarters here on Wednesday, soldiers with machine guns, wearing green camouflage but no identifying insignia, were deployed in and around the base. A large military truck just outside the base bore the black-and-white license plates of the Russian forces.
Although the gates were forced open during the initial storming of the base, there were no reports of shooting or injuries. And while there was no indication that the Ukrainian government was prepared to issue a formal surrender in Crimea, capitulation by military units surrounded throughout the peninsula seemed increasingly inevitable.Although the gates were forced open during the initial storming of the base, there were no reports of shooting or injuries. And while there was no indication that the Ukrainian government was prepared to issue a formal surrender in Crimea, capitulation by military units surrounded throughout the peninsula seemed increasingly inevitable.
When asked why they did not return fire, one Ukrainian soldier leaving the base said, “We had no order and no weapons.” Another said, “We met them empty-handed.”When asked why they did not return fire, one Ukrainian soldier leaving the base said, “We had no order and no weapons.” Another said, “We met them empty-handed.”
On Tuesday evening, after reports that a shooting at another military installation, not far from the Crimean capital of Simferopol, had left at least one Ukrainian soldier dead, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry in Kiev issued a statement saying its troops had been authorized to use force to defend themselves.On Tuesday evening, after reports that a shooting at another military installation, not far from the Crimean capital of Simferopol, had left at least one Ukrainian soldier dead, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry in Kiev issued a statement saying its troops had been authorized to use force to defend themselves.
At the base in Sevastopol, however, the troops seemed to feel less of a threat of deadly harm than the resolute sense of facing eviction at gunpoint.At the base in Sevastopol, however, the troops seemed to feel less of a threat of deadly harm than the resolute sense of facing eviction at gunpoint.
The local militiamen have been guarding the perimeter of the base along with professional soldiers who have no identifying badges but whose equipment and organization leave little doubt they are Russian military personnel. The militiamen entered the base around 8 a.m. and an hour or so later hoisted a Russian flag on the main flagpole.The local militiamen have been guarding the perimeter of the base along with professional soldiers who have no identifying badges but whose equipment and organization leave little doubt they are Russian military personnel. The militiamen entered the base around 8 a.m. and an hour or so later hoisted a Russian flag on the main flagpole.
The base, like other military installations across Crimea, had been surrounded since shortly after Russian forces occupied the region at the beginning of March. Several Ukrainian officers and soldiers said that they felt abandoned by the government in Kiev, which has been virtually powerless to help them, but also had given no hint of yielding until the evacuation announcement on Wednesday evening.The base, like other military installations across Crimea, had been surrounded since shortly after Russian forces occupied the region at the beginning of March. Several Ukrainian officers and soldiers said that they felt abandoned by the government in Kiev, which has been virtually powerless to help them, but also had given no hint of yielding until the evacuation announcement on Wednesday evening.
Governments continued to scramble for a response to the Kremlin’s audacious actions. In an interview with a San Diego television station, President Obama said the United States would continue to apply diplomatic pressure to Russia, but ruled out the use of American military forces, Reuters reported.Governments continued to scramble for a response to the Kremlin’s audacious actions. In an interview with a San Diego television station, President Obama said the United States would continue to apply diplomatic pressure to Russia, but ruled out the use of American military forces, Reuters reported.
“There is a better path,” he said, “but I think even the Ukrainians would acknowledge that for us to engage Russia militarily would not be appropriate and would not be good for Ukraine either.”“There is a better path,” he said, “but I think even the Ukrainians would acknowledge that for us to engage Russia militarily would not be appropriate and would not be good for Ukraine either.”
Speaking in Britain’s Parliament on Wednesday, Prime Minister David Cameron said the world’s leading industrialized countries should consider ejecting Russia from the G-8. The United States, Britain and their allies in the older Group of 7 will meet in The Hague next week to debate further measures.Speaking in Britain’s Parliament on Wednesday, Prime Minister David Cameron said the world’s leading industrialized countries should consider ejecting Russia from the G-8. The United States, Britain and their allies in the older Group of 7 will meet in The Hague next week to debate further measures.
Before the crisis in Crimea, Mr. Putin was scheduled to host a gathering of the G-8 countries in June in Sochi, where the Winter Olympics were recently held, but Western countries have suspended their participation. “If we turn away from this crisis and don’t act,” Mr. Cameron said, “we will pay a very high price in the longer term.”Before the crisis in Crimea, Mr. Putin was scheduled to host a gathering of the G-8 countries in June in Sochi, where the Winter Olympics were recently held, but Western countries have suspended their participation. “If we turn away from this crisis and don’t act,” Mr. Cameron said, “we will pay a very high price in the longer term.”
On Thursday, leaders of the 28-nation European Union are scheduled to discuss a response over Crimea.On Thursday, leaders of the 28-nation European Union are scheduled to discuss a response over Crimea.
Germany’s government has expressed caution, reflecting its deep intertwined economic relations with Russia. Although Chancellor Angela Merkel took a tough tone with Moscow in public last week, business executives are reluctant to jeopardize trade ties, and diplomats and officials steeped in decades of conciliation with Russia are hesitant to sever avenues for negotiation. High-level talks scheduled for April have not been canceled.Germany’s government has expressed caution, reflecting its deep intertwined economic relations with Russia. Although Chancellor Angela Merkel took a tough tone with Moscow in public last week, business executives are reluctant to jeopardize trade ties, and diplomats and officials steeped in decades of conciliation with Russia are hesitant to sever avenues for negotiation. High-level talks scheduled for April have not been canceled.
In a speech to Parliament in Berlin on Thursday, Ms. Merkel warned Russia that a European Union summit later in the day would ratchet up pressure on Moscow by signaling readiness to impose economic sanctions — a sensitive political issue for some Europeans fearful of Moscow’s response. Many European states, notably Germany, have close economic ties to Russia, a major energy supplier.In a speech to Parliament in Berlin on Thursday, Ms. Merkel warned Russia that a European Union summit later in the day would ratchet up pressure on Moscow by signaling readiness to impose economic sanctions — a sensitive political issue for some Europeans fearful of Moscow’s response. Many European states, notably Germany, have close economic ties to Russia, a major energy supplier.
Ms. Merkel also said the G-8 was effectively moribund as long as the crisis with Moscow continued.Ms. Merkel also said the G-8 was effectively moribund as long as the crisis with Moscow continued.
The German government spokesman, Steffen Seibert, said on Wednesday that Russia was “pursuing a path of international isolation, and it is a path containing great dangers for the coexistence of states in Europe.”The German government spokesman, Steffen Seibert, said on Wednesday that Russia was “pursuing a path of international isolation, and it is a path containing great dangers for the coexistence of states in Europe.”
He also gave the first official response to Mr. Putin’s appeal on Tuesday to the German people to support what he depicted as Russian reunification, just as Russia supported German reunification in 1990.He also gave the first official response to Mr. Putin’s appeal on Tuesday to the German people to support what he depicted as Russian reunification, just as Russia supported German reunification in 1990.
German reunification brought together two German states, Mr. Seibert said, while “Russia’s intervention, by contrast, is leading to a division of Ukraine.”German reunification brought together two German states, Mr. Seibert said, while “Russia’s intervention, by contrast, is leading to a division of Ukraine.”