MAR 1 2014 WW III UPDATE: Russian parliament approves plan to send Russian troops to Ukraine, executes de facto takeover of Crimea region, USSR War Ships in CUBA, Obama Threantens Russia

Russian parliament approves plan to send Russian troops to Ukraine

published by Tom Sullivan on Sat, 2014-03-01 15:49

The Federation Council voted overwhelmingly to back a proposal to use "the armed forces of the Russian Federation on the territory of Ukraine until the normalisation of the socio-political situation in that country."
It said the decision took effect immediately.
A statement from the Kremlin said the decision had been made in connection with the “extraordinary situation in Ukraine and the threat to the lives of citizens of the Russian Federation.”
Meanwhile, the upper house of parliament also asked the president to recall the Russian ambassador to the US.
Source and full story: RTÉ News, 1 March 2014

Russia executes de facto takeover of Crimea region

By DAVID McHUGH and VLADIMIR ISACHENKOV 58 minutes ago

KIEV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia executed a de facto military takeover of a strategic region in Ukraine as the parliament in Moscow gave President Vladimir Putin a green light Saturday to proceed to protect Russian interests. The newly installed government in Kiev was powerless to react to the swift takeover of Crimea by Russian troops already in Ukraine and more flown in, aided by pro-Russian Ukrainian groups.

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Putin's move follows President Barack Obama's warning Friday "there will be costs" if Russia intervenes militarily, sharply raising the stakes in the conflict over Ukraine's future and evoking memories of Cold War brinkmanship. The explicit reference to the use of troops escalated days of conflict between the two countries, which started when Ukraine's pro-Russian president was pushed out by a protest movement of people who wanted closer ties to the European Union.

"I'm submitting a request for using the armed forces of the Russian Federation on the territory of Ukraine pending the normalization of the socio-political situation in that country," Putin said in his request sent to parliament.

Putin's call came as pro-Russian demonstrations broke out in Ukraine's Russian-speaking east, where protesters raised Russian flags and clashed with supporters of the new Ukrainian government.

Russia's upper house also recommended that Moscow recall its ambassador from Washington over Obama's comments.

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Obama to Russia: There will be 'costs' for Ukraine

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is warning Russia "there will be costs" for any military maneuvers it launches in Ukraine, a move U.S. and Ukrainian officials say they believe to be already underway.

Associated Press

Russia warship docks in Havana harbor

HAVANA (AP) — A Russian warship was docked in the Havana harbor on Thursday, a day after the country's defense minister announced plans to expand Russia's worldwide military presence.

Associated Press