Memo: Remarks by EU High Representative / Vice President Catherine Ashton at the end of her visit to Ukraine / Ukraine Crimea: Rival rallies confront one another

Author (Corporate)
Series Title
Series Details MEMO/14/133 (25.02.14)
Publication Date 25/02/2014
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On the 25 February 2014, the European Union High Representative / Vice President Catherine Ashton, after her fourth visit to Ukraine in less than three months, delivered a message to the people of Ukraine following the tumultuous events of the previous weekend.

She told them that they needed to work together. She also said, among other issues, that the EU wanted to support and help Ukraine to stay strong, to go forward in the way that it chose and to offer support in achieving that.

The High Representative had two days of meetings with the country’s politicians including former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko.

Ukraine’s parliament approved a measure on the 25 February 2014 to send deposed president Viktor Yanukovich to the International Criminal Court for trial.

Secession risks were kept high in the Autonomous Region of Crimea, with pro-Kiev and pro-Moscow protesters scuffling as a result of the previous week's events.

The country's new pro-Western leadership disbanded on the 26 February 2014 the feared riot police blamed for killing protesters. The Maidan council named Arseniy Yatsenyuk to become prime minister. The cabinet includes leading activists. Ukraine's acting President Olexander Turchynov an Mr. Yatsenyuk warned of the need for "unpopular" steps to help restore the country's economy and politics.

In a sign of tension with the West, Russia ordered a military drill to test the country's combat readiness. However, US Secretary of State John Kerry said Ukraine was not caught in a battle between East and West. Mr. Turchynov warned Russia against any "military aggression" in Crimea.

NATO Defence Ministers meeting in Brussels issued a statement on the situation in Ukraine on the 26 February 2014 '...NATO stands ready to continue to engage with Ukraine and assist with the implementation of reforms...'.

On the 27 February 2014, armed men seized Crimea parliament and hoisted the Russian flag. Mr. Yanukovych said on the same day that he still considered himself to be Ukraine's legitimate leader, while asking Russia to ensure his personal security.

Source Link Link to Main Source http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-14-133_en.htm
Related Links
ESO: Background information: Ukrainian leadership vote called for European election day / Western nations scramble to contain fallout of Ukraine crisis / Catherine Ashton to travel to Ukraine http://www.europeansources.info/record/ukrainian-leadership-vote-called-for-european-election-day-western-nations-scramble-to-contain-fallout-of-ukraine-crisis-catherine-ashton-to-travel-to-ukraine/
ESO: Key Source: Euromaidan - Protests in Ukraine 2013 - 2015 - Key source http://www.europeansources.info/record/euromaidan-protests-in-ukraine-2013-2015/
Euro|Topics, 25.02.14: Kiev fears state bankruptcy http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/aktuell.html/NEWSLETTER-2014-02-25-Kiev-fears-state-bankruptcy
Euronews, 25.02.14: EU chief greets Yulia Tymoshenko and pledges support to Ukraine http://www.euronews.com/2014/02/25/eu-chief-greets-yulia-tymoshenko-and-pledges-support-to-ukraine/
EUObserver, 25.02.14: Ukraine seeks financial aid from EU and US, amid Russian threats http://euobserver.com/foreign/123261
BBC News, 26.02.14: Ukraine Crimea: Rival rallies confront one another http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26354705
Deutsche Welle, 26.02.14: Ukraine disbands controversial Berkut police as Russia orders military drill http://dw.de/p/1BFT7
The Guardian, 26.02.14: Vladimir Putin orders test of combat readiness, raising fears over Ukraine http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/26/ukraine-new-leader-disbands-riot-police-crimea-separatism
France 24 International, 26.02.14: Pro-Russia Ukrainians want Moscow to ‘save them’ http://www.france24.com/en/20140226-ukraine-pro-russia-moscow-kiev/
The New York Times, 25.02.14: Tentatively, European Union Weighs Its Options on Support for a New Ukraine http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/26/world/europe/tentatively-european-union-weighs-its-options-on-support-for-a-new-ukraine.html
BBC News, 26.02.14: Ukraine is not caught in East-West battle, says US http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26347042
Deutsche Welle, 25.02.14: Ukraine's parliament asks ICC to put former President Yanukovych on trial http://dw.de/p/1BF8A
Spiegel Online International, 25.02.14: Putin's Difficult Decision: Ukraine Remains a Danger for Russia http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/situation-in-ukraine-puts-putin-in-a-difficult-spot-a-955604.html
The Guardian, 25.02.14: Ukrainian MPs vote to send Yanukovych to The Hague to face trial http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/25/ukraine-president-yanukovych-hague-trial
The New York Times, 25.02.14: Infighting Poses Hurdle to Formation of New Coalition in Ukraine http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/26/world/europe/ukraine.html
European Commission: RAPID: SPEECH/14/162: EU response to events in Ukraine http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-14-162_en.pdf
European Parliament: Press Release, 26.02.14: Debate on Ukraine's future http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/content/20140221IPR36656/
NATO: Press Release, 26.02.14: Statement by NATO Defence Ministers on Ukraine http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/news_107429.htm
Euro|Topics, 26.02.14: Bell rings for election campaign in Ukraine http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/aktuell.html/NEWSLETTER-2014-02-26-Bell-rings-for-election-campaign-in-Ukraine
BBC News, 26.02.14: Ukraine crisis: Yatsenyuk is PM-designate, Kiev Maidan told http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26359150
Deutsche Welle, 26.02.14: War in Crimea unlikely, experts say http://dw.de/p/1BFqK
France 24 International, 27.02.14: US warns Russia against military intervention in Ukraine http://www.france24.com/en/20140227-usa-russia-military-intervention-ukraine-warn/
BBC News, 27.02.14: Ukraine interim leaders warn of 'unpopular steps' ahead http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26362789
The Guardian, 27.02.14: Armed men seize Crimea parliament and hoist Russian flag http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/27/armed-men-seize-crimea-parliament-reports
Deutsche Welle, 26.02.14: NATO wants a stable Ukraine http://dw.de/p/1BG9l
Deutsche Welle, 27.02.14: Ousted President Yanukovych asserts his authority amid Crimea tumult http://dw.de/p/1BGDP
BBC News, 27.02.14: Ukraine warns Russia against 'aggression' in Crimea http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26366700

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