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| Tensions Remain High in Crimea Amid Renewed Effort to Mediate | Tensions Remain High in Crimea Amid Renewed Effort to Mediate |
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| MOSCOW — Even as Russia and Ukraine signaled a modest willingness to seek a diplomatic resolution to the widening crisis over Crimea on Saturday, there were new reports of Russian reinforcements there, and Russia raised the possibility of suspending inspections required under arms control treaties because of stepped-up operations by NATO. | |
| “We are ready to continue a dialogue on the understanding that a dialogue should be honest and partnerlike, without attempts to portray us as one of the parties in the conflict,” Russia’s foreign minister, Sergey V. Lavrov, said during an appearance with his counterpart from Tajikistan. | “We are ready to continue a dialogue on the understanding that a dialogue should be honest and partnerlike, without attempts to portray us as one of the parties in the conflict,” Russia’s foreign minister, Sergey V. Lavrov, said during an appearance with his counterpart from Tajikistan. |
| Hours after he spoke, however, Russia began moving new troops in unmarked uniforms in large trucks around Crimea, and a Ukrainian defense spokesman there said that witnesses had reported seeing amphibious military ships unloading about 200 military vehicles in eastern Crimea on Friday night after apparently having crossed the Strait of Kerch, which separates Crimea from Russian territory. | Hours after he spoke, however, Russia began moving new troops in unmarked uniforms in large trucks around Crimea, and a Ukrainian defense spokesman there said that witnesses had reported seeing amphibious military ships unloading about 200 military vehicles in eastern Crimea on Friday night after apparently having crossed the Strait of Kerch, which separates Crimea from Russian territory. |
| The Ukrainian spokesman said that a convoy of about 60 military trucks was moving from Feodosiya toward an airfield near Simferopol, Crimea’s regional capital. A Ukrainian border patrol plane was also fired on near the boundary between Crimea and Russia, the Ukrainians said, but was not damaged. | The Ukrainian spokesman said that a convoy of about 60 military trucks was moving from Feodosiya toward an airfield near Simferopol, Crimea’s regional capital. A Ukrainian border patrol plane was also fired on near the boundary between Crimea and Russia, the Ukrainians said, but was not damaged. |
| In Moscow, an unidentified military official told Russian news agencies that Russia was considering suspending inspections of its strategic nuclear arsenal required by the arms reduction treaties, as well as other military cooperation accords meant to build confidence and avoid confrontations. | In Moscow, an unidentified military official told Russian news agencies that Russia was considering suspending inspections of its strategic nuclear arsenal required by the arms reduction treaties, as well as other military cooperation accords meant to build confidence and avoid confrontations. |
| The official said the move was justified by “baseless threats” against Russia by the United States and NATO. A suspension of the inspections would undermine a pillar of international security and expand the confrontation beyond Ukraine itself. | The official said the move was justified by “baseless threats” against Russia by the United States and NATO. A suspension of the inspections would undermine a pillar of international security and expand the confrontation beyond Ukraine itself. |
| Although President Obama has made it clear that the United States does not want to escalate the Crimean crisis, the Pentagon stepped up training operations in Poland and sent fighter jets to patrol the skies over Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, three former Soviet republics with sizable populations of ethnic Russians. Mr. Obama, who was spending the weekend in Florida, also held phone consultations about Ukraine with the French president and the British and Italian prime ministers, then had a conference call with the presidents of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, which are NATO members. | Although President Obama has made it clear that the United States does not want to escalate the Crimean crisis, the Pentagon stepped up training operations in Poland and sent fighter jets to patrol the skies over Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, three former Soviet republics with sizable populations of ethnic Russians. Mr. Obama, who was spending the weekend in Florida, also held phone consultations about Ukraine with the French president and the British and Italian prime ministers, then had a conference call with the presidents of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, which are NATO members. |
| He pledged that the United States, as a NATO ally, had an “unwavering commitment” to their defense, according to the White House’s account of the call. | He pledged that the United States, as a NATO ally, had an “unwavering commitment” to their defense, according to the White House’s account of the call. |
| In a separate phone conversation on Saturday, Secretary of State John Kerry warned Mr. Lavrov that “continued military escalation and provocation in Crimea or elsewhere in Ukraine, along with steps to annex Crimea to Russia, would close any available space for diplomacy,” a State Department official said. | In a separate phone conversation on Saturday, Secretary of State John Kerry warned Mr. Lavrov that “continued military escalation and provocation in Crimea or elsewhere in Ukraine, along with steps to annex Crimea to Russia, would close any available space for diplomacy,” a State Department official said. |
| In Kiev, Ukraine’s new foreign minister, Andrii Deshchytsa, said that some small progress had been made to form a “contact group” of foreign diplomats to mediate the country’s confrontation with Russia after the occupation of Crimea by Russian soldiers and local “self-defense” groups more than a week ago. Washington has sought to establish the contact group, which would include Russia, Ukraine, Britain, France and the United States, as a way to bring Moscow and Kiev to the negotiating table. | In Kiev, Ukraine’s new foreign minister, Andrii Deshchytsa, said that some small progress had been made to form a “contact group” of foreign diplomats to mediate the country’s confrontation with Russia after the occupation of Crimea by Russian soldiers and local “self-defense” groups more than a week ago. Washington has sought to establish the contact group, which would include Russia, Ukraine, Britain, France and the United States, as a way to bring Moscow and Kiev to the negotiating table. |
| Crimea’s regional assembly voted on Thursday to secede from Ukraine and apply to join the Russian Federation, and scheduled a referendum for March 16 to ratify its decision, significantly escalating the crisis between Russia and the West. Ukraine, along with the United States and Europe, declared the referendum unconstitutional and made clear it would not recognize the vote, though the prospect of Crimea joining Russia received an overwhelmingly positive reaction from Russian lawmakers on Friday. | Crimea’s regional assembly voted on Thursday to secede from Ukraine and apply to join the Russian Federation, and scheduled a referendum for March 16 to ratify its decision, significantly escalating the crisis between Russia and the West. Ukraine, along with the United States and Europe, declared the referendum unconstitutional and made clear it would not recognize the vote, though the prospect of Crimea joining Russia received an overwhelmingly positive reaction from Russian lawmakers on Friday. |
| “We have a certain small progress and some hope that we will manage this in a peaceful way,” Mr. Deshchysta said in Kiev. “We need to create some negotiating mechanism” with Russia, “and we think it should be established as soon as possible.” He said Ukraine was open to talks with Russia in any setting “to stop the aggression and de-escalate the situation.” | “We have a certain small progress and some hope that we will manage this in a peaceful way,” Mr. Deshchysta said in Kiev. “We need to create some negotiating mechanism” with Russia, “and we think it should be established as soon as possible.” He said Ukraine was open to talks with Russia in any setting “to stop the aggression and de-escalate the situation.” |
| But Mr. Lavrov did not budge from Russia’s position that the new government in Ukraine was illegitimate and under the sway of “radical nationalists” who seized power in a coup. He insisted that any talks with Europe or the United States should begin with the agreement signed Feb. 21 between the ousted Ukrainian president, Viktor F. Yanukovych, and opposition leaders, even though that accord fell apart almost immediately. | But Mr. Lavrov did not budge from Russia’s position that the new government in Ukraine was illegitimate and under the sway of “radical nationalists” who seized power in a coup. He insisted that any talks with Europe or the United States should begin with the agreement signed Feb. 21 between the ousted Ukrainian president, Viktor F. Yanukovych, and opposition leaders, even though that accord fell apart almost immediately. |
| The diplomacy is likely to be complicated, however, because Russian officials have refused to recognize Ukraine’s new political leaders, though the Russian and Ukrainian prime ministers have spoken and Mr. Deshchysta said that messages were being exchanged through intermediaries. | The diplomacy is likely to be complicated, however, because Russian officials have refused to recognize Ukraine’s new political leaders, though the Russian and Ukrainian prime ministers have spoken and Mr. Deshchysta said that messages were being exchanged through intermediaries. |
| Even as Mr. Lavrov continued to denounce those Russia considers to be behind the ouster of Mr. Yanukovych’s government, the leader of a right-wing group that played a prominent role in the street protests staked a claim on Saturday for a larger role in the political future of Ukraine. The group, Right Sector, has not disbanded its quasi-military units, whose members now at times appear armed in public and have recently become more vocally critical of the interim government | Even as Mr. Lavrov continued to denounce those Russia considers to be behind the ouster of Mr. Yanukovych’s government, the leader of a right-wing group that played a prominent role in the street protests staked a claim on Saturday for a larger role in the political future of Ukraine. The group, Right Sector, has not disbanded its quasi-military units, whose members now at times appear armed in public and have recently become more vocally critical of the interim government |
| A day after declaring himself a candidate for president in the election now scheduled for May, the group’s leader, Dmytro Yarosh, provided the most detailed description yet of his political ambitions and goals. | A day after declaring himself a candidate for president in the election now scheduled for May, the group’s leader, Dmytro Yarosh, provided the most detailed description yet of his political ambitions and goals. |
| Mr. Yarosh said the Right Sector was not disbanding because it wanted to dissuade Russia from moving deeper into Ukraine. “Ukraine is practically in a state of war with Russia,” he said, “and it is too early to speak of pacification and disarmament.” | Mr. Yarosh said the Right Sector was not disbanding because it wanted to dissuade Russia from moving deeper into Ukraine. “Ukraine is practically in a state of war with Russia,” he said, “and it is too early to speak of pacification and disarmament.” |
| In Crimea itself, tensions continued to mount. Poland evacuated its consulate in Sevastopol on Saturday “because of continuing disturbances by Russian forces there,” Poland’s foreign minister, Radoslaw Sikorski, said. | In Crimea itself, tensions continued to mount. Poland evacuated its consulate in Sevastopol on Saturday “because of continuing disturbances by Russian forces there,” Poland’s foreign minister, Radoslaw Sikorski, said. |
| There were new reports of Russian military maneuvers on Saturday, the morning after Russian troops tried to seize a Ukrainian Air Force base in the Crimean port of Sevastopol. Two Russian military vehicles smashed through the gate of the base, but there were no shots fired and the vehicles withdrew. | There were new reports of Russian military maneuvers on Saturday, the morning after Russian troops tried to seize a Ukrainian Air Force base in the Crimean port of Sevastopol. Two Russian military vehicles smashed through the gate of the base, but there were no shots fired and the vehicles withdrew. |
| “They came here because it was our turn,” said Lt. Col. Andrey A. Aladashvilli, an officer at the base. “They’ve already been everywhere, they’ve tried to block, seize and establish control everywhere. We’re practically one of the last.” | “They came here because it was our turn,” said Lt. Col. Andrey A. Aladashvilli, an officer at the base. “They’ve already been everywhere, they’ve tried to block, seize and establish control everywhere. We’re practically one of the last.” |
| Separately, hackers hit Ukraine’s Security and Defense Council with a denial-of-service attack devised to cripple its computers, the council said Saturday. Attacks on Internet and phone services have also been reported. | Separately, hackers hit Ukraine’s Security and Defense Council with a denial-of-service attack devised to cripple its computers, the council said Saturday. Attacks on Internet and phone services have also been reported. |
| An observer mission from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, an international group with 57 member states, including Ukraine and Russia, has been trying to enter Crimea for days now, but has been stopped at a checkpoint controlled by armed men in uniforms without insignia. The Associated Press reported that warning shots were fired at the observers when they tried again to cross into Crimea on Saturday. | An observer mission from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, an international group with 57 member states, including Ukraine and Russia, has been trying to enter Crimea for days now, but has been stopped at a checkpoint controlled by armed men in uniforms without insignia. The Associated Press reported that warning shots were fired at the observers when they tried again to cross into Crimea on Saturday. |
| A day after Russia signaled that it was prepared to annex Crimea — despite a denial by President Vladimir V. Putin only days before — Mr. Deshchysta, the foreign minister, flatly declared that Ukraine would never agree. | A day after Russia signaled that it was prepared to annex Crimea — despite a denial by President Vladimir V. Putin only days before — Mr. Deshchysta, the foreign minister, flatly declared that Ukraine would never agree. |
| “Crimea is and will remain a Ukrainian land,” he said. | “Crimea is and will remain a Ukrainian land,” he said. |
| After days of pro-Russian protests in Crimea, supporters of the new government in Kiev also rallied in Simferopol, confronting Russian demonstrators and volunteer militiamen. | After days of pro-Russian protests in Crimea, supporters of the new government in Kiev also rallied in Simferopol, confronting Russian demonstrators and volunteer militiamen. |
| Several hundred men and women, carrying Ukrainian flags and blue and yellow flower-shaped balloons, marched through the city’s center to deliver tulips to Ukrainian troops in celebration of Women’s Day. | Several hundred men and women, carrying Ukrainian flags and blue and yellow flower-shaped balloons, marched through the city’s center to deliver tulips to Ukrainian troops in celebration of Women’s Day. |
| “I don’t want to live in Russia,” said Igor Klimenko, who took part in the demonstration. “Russia is not a free country — in Russia I can’t come out here and express myself like this.” | “I don’t want to live in Russia,” said Igor Klimenko, who took part in the demonstration. “Russia is not a free country — in Russia I can’t come out here and express myself like this.” |
| In Bakhchysaray, the historical center of what was once the Crimean Tatars’ homeland, several hundred protesters, mostly Tatar women and children, marched against integration with Russia, waving Ukrainian and Tatar flags, and chanting “We’re for peace,” “Ukraine is inseparable,” and “Russian soldiers, go home!” | In Bakhchysaray, the historical center of what was once the Crimean Tatars’ homeland, several hundred protesters, mostly Tatar women and children, marched against integration with Russia, waving Ukrainian and Tatar flags, and chanting “We’re for peace,” “Ukraine is inseparable,” and “Russian soldiers, go home!” |
| “We want the aggressor to leave,” said Dilyara Seyt-Yaleeva, a member of the local teachers’ council. “Crimea is flooded with Russian troops, and we are very afraid.” | “We want the aggressor to leave,” said Dilyara Seyt-Yaleeva, a member of the local teachers’ council. “Crimea is flooded with Russian troops, and we are very afraid.” |
| She added: “If this becomes Russia, there will be cleansings here. I don’t know what the Crimean Tatars will do. We can’t leave our homeland.” | She added: “If this becomes Russia, there will be cleansings here. I don’t know what the Crimean Tatars will do. We can’t leave our homeland.” |
| Tatars make up roughly 12 percent of the population of Crimea, contributing to the ethnic and religious diversity in a region that is mostly Russian. With the referendum on rejoining Russia imminent, many of those marching recalled Stalin’s mass deportation of Tatars in 1944 after the Soviet Union recaptured the peninsula from the Nazis. | Tatars make up roughly 12 percent of the population of Crimea, contributing to the ethnic and religious diversity in a region that is mostly Russian. With the referendum on rejoining Russia imminent, many of those marching recalled Stalin’s mass deportation of Tatars in 1944 after the Soviet Union recaptured the peninsula from the Nazis. |
| “Once was enough,” said one marcher, Galina Seyt-Kharilova. | “Once was enough,” said one marcher, Galina Seyt-Kharilova. |