Ukrainian army refuses to start withdrawing heavy weapons

[bemildred]

Source: (AP, AFP, Reuters, Interfax, dpa)

Both the government troops and the sepatists agreed during the weekend to pull their big guns 25 to 70 kilometers (15 to 43 miles) back, depending on the type of the weapon, thus creating a buffer zone. However, Ukrainian military spokesman Anatoliy Stelmakh told reporters on Monday that the move will not start before rebel attacks stop completely, in accordance with the conditions of the truce.

Stelmakh said there were two artillery attacks overnight and although this is significantly fewer than in previous days, "as long as firing on Ukrainian military positions continues, it's not possible to talk about a pullback."

Kyiv is only willing to start pulling back its heavy weapons once there has been a total cessation of firing for a whole day, according to army sources.



Read more: http://www.dw.de/ukrainian-army-refuses-to-start-withdrawing-heavy-weapons/a-18274346

[bemildred]

1. Kharkiv bombing overshadows Maidan anniversary march in Ukraine

Ukraine's pro-EU government claimed that suspects arrested after Sunday's bombing in the northeastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv had received weapons instruction in Russia.

A spokesman for Ukraine's SBU security service, Markian Lubkivskiy, said four detained suspects had trained in the Russian city of Belgorod. Police said 15 people were also wounded when a device was thrown from a car into a crowd.

The blast shattered one in a series of rallies as pro-Western Ukrainians marked one year since Kyiv's Maidan square uprising that resulted in 100 deaths and the departure of pro-Moscow President Viktor Yanukovych.

http://www.dw.de/kharkiv-bombing-overshadows-maidan-anniversary-march-in-ukraine/a-18273512

[bemildred]

13. Ukraine accuses Russia of orchestrating deadly terror attack on peaceful rally

A deadly terrorist attack on a peaceful pro-Ukrainian demonstration in the country’s eastern city of kharkiv threatens to send an already tense conflict between the two Eastern European powers spiraling further out of control.

Three people were killed, including a 15-year-old boy, when a bomb tore through a crowd in the city located 140 miles away from the border oblasts that Russia is actively destabilizing and reinforcing with troops and equipment. The demonstration was one of many held across the country in honor of the memory of those who died in the protests that resulted in the collapse of Viktor Yanukovych’s government one year ago.

http://hotair.com/archives/2015/02/23/ukraine-accuses-russia-of-orchestrating-deadly-terror-attack-on-peaceful-rally/

[samsingh]

2. they are smart. leaving themselves defenseless will be stupid against

an enemy that has lied and lied

[bemildred]

3. Ukraine blames shelling for delay in withdrawing weapons

Rebels last week ignored a truce and captured the strategic town of Debaltseve in a punishing defeat for Kiev.

Nevertheless, the peace deal's European sponsors still hold out hope it can be salvaged, now that the Moscow-backed separatists have achieved that objective.

Kiev says it fears the rebels, backed by reinforcements of Russian troops, are planning to advance deeper into territory the Kremlin calls "New Russia". Moscow denies aiding the rebels.

Fighting has diminished since Kiev's forces abandoned Debaltseve in defeat last Wednesday.

http://www.rte.ie/news/2015/0223/682161-ukraine-russia/

[bemildred]

4. German gov’t ‘extremely worried’ no full Ukraine ceasefire yet

BERLIN: The German government is very concerned that there is still no comprehensive ceasefire in eastern Ukraine, more than a week after it should have taken effect, and urged Moscow anew on Monday to use its influence over pro-Russian separatists.

"When you look at the situation as a whole since leaders met in Minsk, it is clear the implementation of the agreed measures is not satisfactory," said government spokesman Steffen Seibert.

http://www.brecorder.com/world/europe/227085-german-govt-%E2%80%98extremely-worried%E2%80%99-no-full-ukraine-ceasefire-yet.html

[bemildred]

27. Berlin dissatisfied with violations of Ukraine truce

Germany criticized continuing violence in eastern Ukraine on Monday, saying a complete ceasefire was a prerequisite to begin withdrawing heavy weapons.

"It is of great concern to the German government that one cannot really speak of a comprehensive ceasefire as yet," German government spokesman Steffen Seibert told journalists in Berlin on Monday.

Russia needed to honor its obligations according to the Minsk peace plan, and it needed to exercise its influence on separatists in Ukraine's east, Seibert said, referring to the peace agreement that Ukraine and pro-Russian rebels signed earlier this month in Minsk.

Seibert also condemned the attack on a memorial march in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, in which at least two people died and dozens others were wounded. Around 100 people participated in the march on Sunday to remember protestors who stormed the Maidan in Kyiv last year.

http://www.dw.de/berlin-dissatisfied-with-violations-of-ukraine-truce/a-18275484

[bemildred]

5. France to Host 4-Way Ministerial Meeting on Ukraine Crisis

PARIS — The foreign ministers of France, Germany, Russia and Ukraine will meet on Tuesday in Paris in an effort to get a stalling peace deal between the central authorities and separatists rebels back on track, a French diplomatic source said.

More than a week after a cease-fire agreement that Moscow-backed rebels ignored to capture a strategic town, Kiev and its Western allies are trying to determine whether the separatists will now halt, or advance deeper into territory the Kremlin calls "New Russia."

"It is the follow-up to the Minsk accords to ensure that they are implemented, such as withdrawing heavy weapons," the source said.

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/france-to-host-4-way-ministerial-meeting-on-ukraine-crisis/516340.html

[bemildred]

6. UPDATE 1-Ukraine bonds fall to 40 cents in dollar as sell-off grips

Feb 23 (Reuters) - Russian and Ukrainian sovereign bonds sold off heavily on Monday, with the latter now trading around 40 cents in the dollar as continued fighting in eastern Ukraine raised fears for both credits.

The violence, and sanctions imposed for Russia's role in it, have exacerbated economic problems caused by falling oil prices, with Moody's cutting Russia's rating to junk late on Friday.

In Ukraine, the fighting is pushing the domestic economy deeper into recession and is delaying aid from Western lenders, raising fears that an upcoming debt restructuring will inflict bigger-than-expected losses on bondholders.

"There is a vicious circle going on between the currency and the bonds," said David Hauner, head of EEMEA debt and strategy at Bank of America/Merrill Lynch.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2015/02/23/ukraine-bonds-idUKL5N0VX26G20150223?rpc=401

[bemildred]

7. . nt

[bemildred]

12. Ukraine's economic 'meltdown' just got worse

Ukraine's currency plunged to new record lows on Monday morning, as a failed peace plan and continued violence piled more pressure on a country that has seen a year of political and economic turmoil.

The country's central bank said the official rate for the hryvnia had dropped 7 percent on Monday, to close to 30 against the U.S. dollar, according to Reuters.

It came as the bank also announced currency controls for the country's importers to try to limit the hryvnia's fall. Ukrainian sovereign bonds also fell to record lows during the morning session.

"Let's not beat around the bush - Ukraine is facing economic/financial meltdown," Timothy Ash, head of emerging markets at Standard Bank, said in a morning note.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/102446721

[Duckhunter935]

8. well since the "Russians" are now going for Mariupol

it seems like a prudent move at least in that area. Question is how many have the "Russians" moved back?

[bemildred]

9. Both sides appear to building up forces there, but they are just dicking around with mortars

a bit to the East of Mariupol from what I can see at the moment. If the rebels really attacked I expect there would be a lot about it in the media. They don't fuck around when they go for it. Heavy artillery duels are loud and messy.

However, you are quite right that if the cease fire does not hold, they will take it. And there will likely be more provocations in an attempt to bring that about.

[Adrahil]

10. The "rebels" will definitely go for Mariupol next.

This whole shame "ceasefire" (I told you so) was just to create some space to set up the next offensive.

Putin wants that land bridge to Crimea and he will get it.

And a small chorus of people here will condemn the West for daring to object.

[bemildred]

11. That could definitely happen.

And there is Jack Shit at this point that we can do about it, so it would be better to back off. Losing more troops and materiel now will not help.

[Adrahil]

15. That's one point of view, for sure.

Frankly, I think the West is unwilling to do what needs to be done militarily to stop the Russian advance.

And like you, I don't see much point in sacrificing blood and money for nothing.

HOWEVER, there must be a price to pay, and Russia needs to know it. They need to be completely isolated diplomatically and economically. If not, there is nothing to stop them form doing the same thing in every former Soviet states.

[bemildred]

14. Russian Bonds, Ruble Drop After Moody's Cuts Credit Rating to Junk

LONDON — Russian dollar bonds fell as much 2.5 cents on Monday after Moody's became the second agency to cut their credit rating to junk while Ukrainian debt also fell, hitting new record lows.

Russian markets are shut for a holiday but the ruble fell 3.4 percent against the dollar on international markets to a one-week low.

Moody's downgraded Russia to Ba1 from Baa3 late on Friday, citing the impact from the Ukraine crisis as well as the steep fall in oil prices and the ruble. With junk ratings from two agencies, Russia risks an acceleration in outflows from more conservative asset managers.

"The fundamental picture is still complicated, and I don't see any improvement. What I see is increasing tensions with the West, so while the Moody's story was well anticipated it just adds to the overall negative backdrop," said Regis Chatellier, credit strategist at Societe Generale.

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/business/article/russian-bonds-ruble-drop-after-moody-s-cuts-credit-rating-to-junk/516349.html

[TexasProgresive]

16. The last line sounds fair

Kyiv is only willing to start pulling back its heavy weapons once there has been a total cessation of firing for a whole day, according to army sources.

If you have a gun to my head and I have one to yours, what's to stop you from pulling the trigger if I put mine down?

We have a case of non-nuclear M.A.D. (mutual assured destruction) Have the rebels pulled back their heavy weapons?

[bemildred]

17. What's to stop me from pulling the trigger if you don't?

Games of chicken are inherently risky.

Ordinarily the thing that stops me from pulling the trigger is your friends standing around watching us with guns in their hands. And vice-versa. Which is a very good analogy for this situation now.

[TexasProgresive]

19. If you pull the trigger my finger is likely to squeeze the trigger involuntarily

So that's the chance you must take. There needs to be a verifiable pull back by both sides. This would require a neutral force to mediate. A real cease fire under these conditions is not plausible.

[bemildred]

20. Indeed. nt

[bemildred]

18. To answer your question, they say they are withdrawing, the rebels.

And they may be. I can't say. The Kiev military is not much of a threat at the moment.

But you may be sure they are getting ready for when the cease fire breaks down, so it would be better to not give them a pretext.

[Elmer S. E. Dump]

21. Why should they, it's their fucking country.

FUCK PUTIN for trying to start WWIII.

[salib]

22. Unless you were planning to fire back sometime soon

this is just a ploy to prolong the "heightened tensions" to prolong the conflict.

And if you were planning to fire back, then just back out of the cease-fire now.

Otherwise, pull back the weapons as you agreed. The alternative is to break the deal and be forced to use them.

[bemildred]

23. Ukraine separatists celebrate Soviet holiday in Donetsk

Thousands of residents and rebel fighters have gathered in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic to celebrate Defender of the Fatherland Day, also known as Men’s Day – a celebration that has taken on additional meaning during the conflict between Russia-backed separatists and Kiev.

The holiday, which was originally known as Red Army Day and is widely celebrated throughout the former Soviet Union, in recent years has come to be less militaristic and more broadly focused on male relatives and friends.

But the atmosphere in Donetsk was decidedly Soviet, with the crowd waving Soviet flags beneath a giant statue of Vladimir Lenin in the main square. Commanders awarded medals to outstanding fighters, some of them posthumously, and performers read patriotic songs and poems.

“Now this holiday is not just about girls congratulating boys, it’s about congratulating those who make it possible to build civilian institutions here,” said Denis Pushilin, vice-speaker of the people’s council of the DPR. “Our guys have proven that they’re worthy of the memory of our grandfathers, who once drove the fascist scourge out of Donbass. Now they are doing the same.”

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/23/ukraine-separatists-soviet-holiday-mens-day-donetsk

[bemildred]

24. Rebels break truce near Mariupol: Ukraine

---

The West has warned of additional sanctions on Russia if the shaky truce should deteriorate further, especially after rebels last week took the strategic town of Debaltseve in defiance of the ceasefire meant to start February 15.

The Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, tasked with monitoring the truce, "concludes that the ceasefire is not holding in critical, strategic points," including near Mariupol and in Debaltseve, the deputy head of the OSCE mission, Alexander Hug, told France 24 television.

A Ukrainian military commander, Colonel Valentyn Fedichev, said Monday that, while the number of attacks had generally decreased across the conflict zone, troop positions were still fired on 27 times since Sunday. Two Ukrainian soldiers were killed and 10 wounded, he said.

Insurgent fighters "have not halted attempts to assault our positions in the town of Shyrokine and the Mariupol area," Fedichev said.

http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2015/02/24/rebels-break-truce-near-mariupol-ukraine

[bemildred]

25. Ukrainian border guards spot 12 militant drones over Donbas in last day

The Russian-backed militants continue to conduct aerial reconnaissance in the Donbas conflict zone using drones, the department on media relations of the administration of the State Border Service of Ukraine reported on Monday, according to an UNIAN correspondent.

"A total of 12 flights of drones have been recorded in the last day in the Donbas conflict zone," the report says.

"Ten drones were observed near the villages of Bilenke, Krasna Talivka, Stanychno-Luhanske, Sartana, Mariupol, and Zaria, while another two were seen in Luhansk region between the villages of Milove and Markivka," the report reads.

Ukraine suspects the sophisticated military aerial reconnaissance drones seen flying over its territory were supplied by Russia, along with large amounts of troops, weapons and ammunition.

http://www.unian.info/war/1047436-ukrainian-border-guards-spot-12-militant-drones-over-donbas-in-last-day.html

[bemildred]

26. Russia's Vladimir Putin says war with Ukraine 'unlikely'

The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, has said war with neighbouring Ukraine is "unlikely", in an interview for Russian television.

Mr Putin also stressed his support for the Minsk agreement as the best way to stabilise eastern Ukraine.

Ukraine has said there is clear evidence Russia is helping the rebels in the east, something Russia denies.

Earlier, Ukraine's military said rebel shelling had prevented them withdrawing heavy weapons from the front line.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-31596634

[bemildred]

28. Putin: France, Germany genuinely want to find compromise over E. Ukraine

The leaders of France and Germany genuinely want to find a compromise that would help end the conflict in eastern Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in his latest interview.

Speaking to Rossiya 1 TV channel on the conflict and the breakthrough of the Minsk agreement, Putin said that “it seemed to me [the leaders of France and Germany], have a genuine desire to find such compromise solutions that would lead to the final settlement [of the conflict]...”

He cited the Minsk protocol which includes the decentralization of power in Ukraine and a “reference explaining what it implies.” The authors of the reference are "our German and French partners,” he said, adding that this speaks of their sincerity in finding a compromise.

“I had the impression that our partners have more trust in us than distrust, and in any case believe in our sincerity,” Putin said on Monday.

http://rt.com/news/234831-putin-france-germany-compromise/