Spotlight

Ukraine Liveblog Day 14: Could a Cold War Turn Hot Today?

March 3, 2014

Russia has vowed that its troops will stay until the situation in Ukraine is “normalized,” Russian troops are demanding that the Ukrainian bases they have surrounded surrender before the day is out, and two people beaten by pro-Russian crowds in Kharkiv have died. Is today the day when this standoff between Ukraine’s new government and […]

Ukraine Liveblog Day 13 — Beatings in Kharkiv, Defections in Crimea

March 2, 2014

The threat of a full-scale Russian invasion of mainland Ukraine continues, as John Kerry and Barack Obama both “condemn” Russia’s occupation of Crimea as a violation of Ukrainian sovereignty and international law. Meanwhile, in Kharkiv, there is evidence of pro-Russian mobs beating Euromaidan protestors and journalists. Also, the newly appointed head of Ukraine’s Navy has […]

Ukraine Liveblog Day 12: Putin Prepares an Invasion

March 1, 2014

Amid reports of more Russian troops in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed sending a stabilization force into the country until it is “normalized.” This is an invasion, just under a different name. Yesterday’s liveblog can be found here. For an overview and analysis of this developing story see see our latest podcast. Below, we […]

Ukraine Liveblog Day 11: Airports Seized

February 28, 2014

Unmarked soldiers have seized both Sevastopol and Simferopol airports, and have established roadblocks at key locations in the Crimea. The deposed president, Viktor Yanukovych, who still maintains he is the legitimate head of state, is due to give a press conference shortly in Rostov-on-Don in Russia. While Russia continues to vow that it will respect […]

Russian Government Newspaper: “The Ukrainian President Could Be Hidden by Americans”

February 27, 2014

An article titled “Where is Yanukovych?” and subtitled “The Ukrainian President Could Be Hidden by Americans” ran in Rossiiskaya Gazeta (RG), a government-operated newspaper, on Tuesday. The amazing thing is that we now know that Yanukovych is in Russia, and has been there since Tuesday, according to other Russian media outlets. The article is full […]

Media Wars: The Fight to Define a Revolution in Ukraine – Interpreter Podcast

How did the media cover Ukraine? What was the role of social media? How is the Ukrainian media changing as this revolution unfolds? How is the Russian media responding? Is the country really on the brink of an east-west civil war, will Russia invade, and what’s the role of the media in what happens next? […]

Ukraine Liveblog: Day 10 — Armed Separatists and Yanukovych Are Defiant

Ukraine’s ousted President is in Russia, where he says he is the legitimate leader and he has asked Russia for protection against “extremists.” Armed gunmen have taken over Crimea Parliament in Simferopol. This crisis is far from over. Yesterday’s liveblog can be found here. For an overview and analysis of this developing story see see […]

“Nobody in Europe Needs the Archaic Ukrainian Economy”

February 26, 2014

Pravda holds this interview with a Russian political analyst. Noteworthy moments — he says Yanukovych is not really pro Russia, he calls Yulia Tymoshenko the “Orange Princess,” and he suggests that the Russians should pull their support for Ukraine, wait for their economy to implode, and then bail them out again. — Ed. In an […]

Ukraine Liveblog: Day 9 — Unifying the Police and Military

The country is simultaneously more united and more divided today, and the interim government is gaining control or disbanding part of deposed president Yanukovych’s security apparatus. At the same time, rival protests have been held in east Ukraine, and there’s now a growing rift between those who wish to declare independence from Ukraine and those […]