pro russian forces tightening it's grip on the crimea peninsula. ukraine's prime minister will be in washington on wednesday to talk to the president i at the white house. >>> ththe malaysian government y the oil slick are nos are not cd to the missing airplane. >>> enhanced security following last year's deadly attack three people were killed. 260 injured after two lines exploded near the boston marathon finish line. >>> a new test may be key to diagnosing alzheimer's. >> researchers worked with 500 people over 70 years old, and they had such success in this testing method they believe they have found a way to predict who would be developing alzheimer's. this may be game changing for the medical world and life changing for people and their families struggling with this disease. >> when she began forgetting where she was on a daily basis her husband new something was going on. >> you see her deteriorating in her mental faculties and physical abilities and it takes over all aspects of a person's existence. >> alzheimer's has no cure, treatment plan

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the rest of the world, or at least the western world, over the future of ukraine's critical crimea peninsula. my team and i went to crimea -- more on what we found and saw there in just a moment. but first, the tension in crimea has dramatically escalated in just the past few hours. while we were there, a mob surrounded a top united nations representative's car in crimea. we didn't witness it, but we have video. we're told the crowd is chanting, leave russia, or crimea is russia. it's unclear exactly who these people are. are they russians brought in? are they people from crimea? we cannot tell you. but we can see people waving russian flags, and even a soviet flag. earlier, u.n. officials say the armed men ambushed the u.n. official in his car and followed him when he took off on foot. they eventually trapped him in this coffee shop. u.n. officials now tell fox news that the representative was okay, but felt threatened at the time. meantime, the pro-russian power grab is spreading beyond crimea. rowdy russian activists fought cops and stormed a government building in ian ukraine. they raise

is signaling the west support for the country's new government but this sunday voters in the crimea peninsula will cast ballots with the choice of either remaining part of ukraine or joining russia. >>> our guests now is a washington lawyer with a special perspective on the crisis. ge byrd is originally from ukraine. he had an officer there for several years. he's now in d.c. thank you for being here. >> thank you, lesli. >> for people who have not followed this closely, why that should they care about what's happening in ukraine? >> it's a good question. kids go to school. we teach our kids don't be bullied, don't tolerate bullying. be nice to each other. if you don't, there are police, teachers. in the international arena, there are no police, no bailiffs, there are no teachers. somebody has to say to the bully that the bullying should be stopped. and that's the reason why we need to say to -- we need to deal with the the situation. we need to be involved in the situation on different levels. >> we came into this talking about the referendum vote in crimea which either allows parts of ukrai

there is questions if they will stop in the crimea peninsula and cities in the coal mining region andagainst them and that will only further up the a nte in the stand off. >> will economic sanctions work on putin? >> they will help. you can see economic dislocation caused already by the fall in the stock exchange in moscow. but in and of themselves, they are not the only thing that can be done and a whole range of other measures have to be contemn plated. >> simon marks, great to see you. >> thank you, alisyn. >> meanwhile a high school student suing her own parents and the dramatic courtroom appearance and how the judge responded. >> could a california couple who stumbled on a stash of gold coins in their backyard be forced to guf them back? the stunning twist coming up. >>> it is time to check in with grecheb carlsson to see what is californiaing up next on the real story. >> now the woman in the center of the irs scandal is pleading the fifth again will lois lerner be compelled to reveal what she knows. we'll talk to the group targeted by the office. >> hillary clinton speaks out f

peninsula permanently? >> that is certainly one possibility. i mean, crimea only became part of ukraine in 1954 because the person that had taken over as stalin, as the ruler of the soviet union built his power base in ukraine, so he gave crimea, which had been dominated by russia since the 1770s, which had the majority classification, he gave crimea to ukraine, so it hasn't been part of ukraine for that long and 50% of the population are russians, 24% are ukrainians. 12% are crimian tar tars, the people that stalin deported in 1944 to siberia, and the descendants came back, but they don't like the russians very much either. there is a major russian majority, 58% population is russian. there's a possibility. i don't think that the world community and politicians in general these days like breaking up countries. terrible things happen when india and pakistan were separated in 1947. we know the consequences of when ireland was partitioned in 1921. i think giving crimea back to russia, whilst it's an option, i don't think it's likely, and, of course, ukraine is

crimea tonight because cnn has a reporter on the ground there. diana magnay is in the southern part of the country where support for russia strong. ukraine is in yellow. the peninsula is in red. below there, american assessment shows military forces landed at a base in crimea. diana is there. you've been reporting and it's been incredible, you've been reporting on phone lines that have been cut. it's been incredibly difficult to communicate. what exactly is happening there and what have you been able to figure out about who these troops are and what they are doing. >> reporter: well, it is difficult to piece together what is going on and i haven't been able to definitely confirm to you that the troops that i have seen on the ground are russian because they are trying incredibly hard to conceal their identity. they are in military fatigues. they don't have any kind of military insignia. the vehicles that they are using to get around, the number plates have been removed. when you ask them, where are you from, are you russian, there is no reply. so they are really trying to conceal their identity. so i wouldn't be able to tell you 100% that they are russian. but the n

. >> today on the crimea peninsula russian troops fired warning shots, and it was all caught on tape. [ gunfire ] russian forces fired shots at a group of soldiers. ukrainian authorities estimate there are as many as 16,000 troops in crimea right now. and earlier i spoke with ukraine's ambassador to the united nations, i asked why he thinks the russian troops are on the move in crimea. >> the exact goal is not known, but the result of all this movement just to encourage the separatist groupings there, and to bring more support, and then to help to create the government in crimea as it happened this is very dangerous. >> one country appears to hold the key to any solution. that country is germany. david shuster joins us with that part of the story. >> reporter: officials in the obama administration are convinced that germany chancellor angela merkel can ask vladimir putin to back down. go. >> reporter: vladimir putin was living, quote, in another world. merkel, though, has said very little publicly, and that appears to be by design. because behind-the-scenes white house sources say mer

the visit comes ahead of a sunday referendum in ukraine's black sea peninsula. crimea could secede or maintain part of ukraine. it was called a flawed process because russian troops remain in the region. now no matter what happens in crimea or ukraine, the russians have already lost. an award winning journalist before she became a member of the canadian parliament she wrote extensively on the russian government. and was just in kiev last week. i can't imagine someone more qualified to discuss this than you, great to see you again. you are of ukrainian descent. >> that's right. i'm ukrainian-canadian, and it's great to be with you. >> why do you say no matter what happens russia has lost. regardless of what happens right now russia has the reality on the ground that they've got parts of ukraine, which have pro russian populations. they've got military in crimea and no one else is putting military in there. so why do you say that? >> look, ali, when vladimir putin the return president started this year with two big goals. the first was to firmly clearly establish russia

i think the russians are effectively in control of the crimea peninsula, whether through their own forces or proxies, private security firms. the men in unmarked uniforms or through local sympathetic people. the overwhelming opinion in crimea is pro-russian. the question is what are the russians trying to do with this. are they trying to take ukraine or using it as a bargaining trip or lever to achieve something more important in ukraine. let's keep in mind they don't see this as a new government. they think the administration is illegitimate, that it seizes power from the streets with violent elements against the democratically elected president viktor yanukovych, who is in russia and moscow considers the legitimate president. it was significant at the security council that the russian ambassador pointed to the february 1st agreement between viktor yanukovych, and the opposition leaders for power sharing, which collapsed within hours before the ink was dry in favour of total power. >> the point - i want to bring up the sound bite. we spoke to a former kremlin advisor. we'll play a part o

you have the ukrainian sailors blockaded on their ships, and across the crimea peninsula. the real question is what is going to happen to them? how are they going to square that away if crimea declares independence, what happens to those men who pledged their allegiance to the ukraine. >> we'll take a short break. when we come back we'll focus our discussion on russian president putin, are his motives ad hoc, part of a broader strategy or a bit of both. this is inside story. stay with us. >> welcome back to "inside story." i'm ray suarez. the whole political crisis in ukraine began when ousted president yanukovych rejected economic help from europe in favor of aid from russia and president vladimir putin. while putin showcased the new russia on the world stage during the olympics, ukraine lurched suddenly back towards the west. we want to continue our discussion on ukraine by trying to understand putin's world-view. joining us now, nadia duke at the national endowment for democracy. in california, kathryn stoner, director of the program international policy studies at stanf

what ten you what's happening in the ukraine's crimea peninsula? >> tensions are increasing here. yesterday armed russian-speaking men took over two key airports here, one the main airport for regular people and the other a very strategic military airport for russia who maintains a fleet here. yesterday armed masked gunmen who are russian-speaking took over regional parliament in crimea here. they lowered the ukrainian flag and raised russia's. they basically got rid of the kiev government and instituted their own prime minister who feels like they are going to be persecuted because of the new government in ukraine. he personally asked russian president vladimir putin for help because the russians who are here, which is basically 60% of the people who are are russian speaking and ethnic russians for help. they feel like they are going to be persecuted because of the new government. they feel like their schools are going to be closed. you can see tanks in the streets. people are getting very nervous. i'm staying at a hotel on the black sea. there appears to be a russian warship you

but the ukrainians are concerned about possible provocation on the crimea peninsula itself where we have those two armies basically facing off against one another. secretary of defense chuck hagel in responding to those concerns made a phone call today to his ukrainian count part. we actually had an interview with the defense minister today. he said during that phone conversation there was praise from chuck hagel on the show of you trained by ukrainian armed forces. but they said they're showing restraint for a variety of reasons. they're seeing a disturbing trend a tactic being used by russian personnel on the crimea peninsula using civilians as the front line when they try and grab military assets. >> the russian soldiers are placing themselves behind the civilian population. they're acting in an ugly way. behind the civilian population comes special forces. nationally for ukrainian sailors it is impossible to use arms against the civil population. that's how they take over military bases. they're not going to let russian force on their territory. >> reporter: now when he was here in k

smile at the opening of the para-olympic game in sochi as military tighten the grip on ukraine crimea peninsula. >> they have thousands of soldier in the crimea some estimate up to 20 thousands of them. >> russia warned america to back off saying hasty poor thought out steps including sanctions would boom rang against the u.s. itself. president obama personal warning to putin in two lengthy phone call having little impact. i hope creasingly the u.s. in put i hope mind is the enemy. >> cold war style show down nuss a bind. wanting to defend ukraine and international law but not lose russia as critical partner on other issues. >> this is a terrible problem for stability in the future. >> in 9 day the people of crimea majority russian vote on whether to stay with ukraine or join the russian federation. >> we have discuss putin in his activity because premiers ukraine territory. >> whatever the outcome the referendum is seen as bargaining chip for putin. since ukraine central government kiev won't recognize it. u.s. and european also called the vote illegitimate wrping of even tougher sanction for

you have the ukrainian sailors blockaded on their ships, and across the crimea peninsula. the real question is what is going to happen to them? how are they going to square that away if crimea declares independence, what happens to those men who pledged their allegiance to the ukraine. >> we'll take a short break. when we come back we'll focus our discussion on russian president putin, are his motives ad hoc, part of a broader strategy or a bit of both. this is inside story. stay with us. >> i thought that she was my property, and i could do as i please. >> abusive men... >> this is completely unregulated.. >> easy access to guns... >> there's somewhere around 1600 women being held every year >> a deadly combination... >> death could have been prevented... >> her and a hundred more women... >> it hurts to the core >> faultlines al jazeera america's hard hitting... ground breaking... truth seeking... >> they don't wanna see what's really going on >> break though investigative documentary series death in plain sight only on al jazeera america there's more to finical news than

. >>> moscow has confirmed that 89 ukrainian military bases on the crimea peninsula are now under russianroet. the ukrainian soldiers that manned the bases have to make tough decisions about their future. nick spicer has more from crimea now. >> the major spoke with al jazeera before russians took over the base. the soldiers were still holding out. he read us the russian offer. leave the ukrainian army, become a russian citizen and get a job with better pay in the russian armed forces. he has never lived in mainland ukraine, and his parpts and family live here in near by sevastopol. he has rel tifs buried here, but there's something stronger than that. >> translator: as for me, you i will definitely leave and go to mainland ukraine. despite all the endless offers, i won't accept russian citizenship and pledge aledge yens to russia. you can only give one oat in a life. if you betray it, you're not worthy of respect. >> the ukrainian defense ministry says they're heroes that served a nation well and promises them financial support and housing. many soldiers leaving to the mainland say the g

you have the ukrainian sailors blockaded on their ships, and across the crimea peninsula. the real question is what is going to happen to them? how are they going to square that away if crimea declares independence, what happens to those men who pledged their allegiance to the ukraine. >> we'll take a short break. when we come back we'll focus our discussion on russian president putin, are his motives ad hoc, part of a broader strategy or a bit of both. this is inside story. stay with us. real reporting that brings you the world. >> this is a pretty dangerous trip. >> security in beirut is tight. >> more reporters. >> they don't have the resources to take the fight to al shabaab. >> more bureaus, more stories. >> this is where the typhoon came ashore. giving you a real global perspective like no other can. >> al jazeera, nairobi. >> on the turkey-syria border. >> venezuela. >> beijing. >> kabul. >> hong kong. >> ukraine. >> the artic. real reporting from around the world. this is what we do. al jazeera america. >> welcome back to "inside story." i'm ray suarez. the whole po

to the south, russian forces already control crimea's peninsula.o a rally supporting sunday's referendum, asking crimeans whether they want to join russia. the answer expected to be an overwhelming yes. the u.s. called the illegal but -- the vote illegal, but the prime minister told us it's the people's right to decide which country they belong to. >> i'm telling you out of 100 people, 830 want to be russian. >> around 80 russian troops along with helicopters seized a small town outside crimea in ukraine. the first possible evidence that russia may be expanding their invasion and that crimea could be just the beginning. >> ukraine's new government and the west has denounced the referendum as illegitimate. the west is threatening to impose sanctions against russia if it incorporates crimea. >> more violence in venezuela. molotov cocktails were thrown at the police in the capital. they said they would send government troops to clear out protesters. at least 25 people have died in the country since protest against crime, inflation and food shortages b

because i can't believe we didn't detect 20,000 ships and secures of ammunition to invade the crimea peninsula. if they -- if they had not noticed it they must not have known what they could do. here is what they should have done. number one, in the middle of the olympics they should have told putin if you do that you're out of the g8. we'll go back to calling it the g7, and we'll move the meeting from sochi to let's say, poland. you can go ahead and tell him the economic sanctions will start with his bank accounts. because if the reckoning is correct, he is one of the richest men in the world. let's freeze the assets and see if we can get his attention very quietly before it comes to this. >> you and i have agreements on this. the g8 is the single most important things we can do. the russian imports, 35% of their energy imports. it would be a terrible blow to them. on the other hand, they're going to have to ask themselves is there a price we need to pay here that could stop the russian aggression, poland is a country that has done that. they have stepped up to the plate. i'll say this much,

respond to russia's troop movements in ukraine's crimea peninsula. on this edition of the program we're talking about the deep economic ties between russia and europe and how those ties impact american efforts to pressure vladimir putin. mihala, is some of this dependent on the calendar? it's still pretty cold in europe. is this a different confrontation when we get to april or may? >> it's a mild winter. most recent european winters have been harsh, but now you'll see that they have plenty of gas reserves. most have enough gas to make it at the minimum 30 days and even 90 days of con glimpse does that weaken russia's leverage? >> it definitely does as well as the europeans have pursued diversification not just for energy sources but where it's coming from. europe finds itself in a much better situation than it did in. >> you valeri, just recent by the e.u. announced a package of emergency aid that pretty much replaces in many ways the aid that was supposed to come from russia. is that enough to get ukraine through the next several months? >> i'm sur

you are looking at entirely new structure out in the crimea peninsula and trying to dediv t dedivest -- divest and protect the border. in addition to that, a lot of infrastructure and roadways going into the peninsula and running through the eastern part of ukraine and in addition to that, an awful lot of ukraine's power and water is coming from mainland ukraine and interesting to hear throughout the press conference today with the deputy prime minister, he was asked what are we going to do about supplying water and electricity to crimea and look, we are not talking to each other and you are at not a legitimate government. if they are not talking how are they going to get the power and water to the peninsula. >> phil, thank you very much. the united states and eu are responding and vice president biden is in poland and warning russia and saying that the u.s. and europe is imposing further sanctions on moscow and we have following all of the developments from london and the vice president using harsh language. >> it is in sharp contrast of the western reactions to the emotional speech

russia says it doesn't have a military presence on the crimea peninsula. ence russia not only has a presence, but they're constructing barbed wire borders and bringing in land mines. >> reporter: parked along the highway, linking crimea to ukraine, a convoy of russian military trucks and armored personnel carriers. we're approaching a checkpoint flying the russian flag where troops are searching cars and confiscating equipment. we hide our cameras as soldiers search our van. one of them is spotted, it's taken and turned off. this is effectively now part of russia, and they don't want us filming the evidence. the local soldier in charge agrees to an interview. we're defending our people, he tells me, this is not about russia, but about protecting our homeland, as we drive through the checkpoint we see the new border that's being erupted. once out of view from russian troops we stop the car and resume filming. russia says it has no presence on the crimea peninsula, here is your proof. they have rolled out barbed wire, dug fence posts and there are land mines

putin's comments on tuesday that he had no desire to annex the crimea peninsula, to take a step back from the brink. even though crimea remains tense on the ground today there's a new report of russians seizing two ukrainian anti-missile posts. still it feels like ukraine is spinning not towards war today but some kind of diplomatic solution. for instance, after secretary of state john kerry's visit to kiev yesterday, where he did show support for that new pro-western government with very strong words against vladimir putin and a promise of a billion dollars in loans, today kerry meets for the very first time since the current crisis escalated with his russian counterpart to talk exit strategy. more significantly, the ukrainian and russian governments are talking on a cabinet level today for the first time. and then there's a russian defense official discussing ukraine with nato members in brussels as well. of course, there's only one man who can make or break any deal. that's vladimir putin. it's just unclear what he will do next. talking about sending international observers. will p

we know from the town of two us open in the south of the peninsula in the south of crimea that peaceful pro russian protests that have indeed had taken over the ukrainian naval base. no shots were fired. only minor verbal. scuffles were reports that at the also raised a russian flag of the russian navy flag over the place but nobody supported its just about. i negotiations at the moment the door seems to be a rather festive atmosphere here in the crimean capitalists it all went out last night there were some very rewarding developments with that the jury ministry of the peninsula confirming two people wore shorts dads as a result of a sniper fire. one of those. i was a ukrainian office a korean servicemen another one is a member of the so called self defense also two people were injured alarming info coming from the prime minister of the peninsula with the wilkinson on the fifth of what the shots were taken from the same sports the same weapon in two directions this is the same tactics used only done one single question to both police officers and civilians. which means this is a pro lo

russian forces are strengthening their control over the crimea peninsula. a referendum will be held in a few days as to whether crimea should split off and become part of russia. the u.n. and others declared the vote illegal. russia doesn't seem to be loosening its control over the region. >> in military base a 4519 ukranian soldiers are reinforcing their defenses. they don't know if the russians will scale the walls or come through the gates. there's a new directive, whether ukrainian soldiers stand outside or inside. s must be at the ready. pressure began last week. we filled as a mob of pro-russian activists storm the base. they demanded that the ukrainians surrender and let the troops through the gate. >> this is the same gate, six days later. they've reinforced the gate with soldiers. not only that, this gate is new. this is a heavy-duty truck filled with cement trucks to block anyone from going in. the public grounds are empty. they have hunkered down. this officer has four kids who live on the edge of the base, and he shows me how they'll protect him.

russian president vladimir putin for the first time since russian troops took control of the crimea peninsula resident obama called on the kremlin to resolve the crisis. >> any discussion about the future of the ukraine must include a legitimate government of ukraine. in 2014, we are well beyond the takenhen borders can be over the heads of democratic leaders. >> the pentagon sent the fighter jets to the region to monitor any russian violation of airspace. dozens of ukrainian americans from across the country rallied outside of the russian embassy and the white house to protest russia's actions. >> a district landmark has made its way across the potomac, ben's chili bowl opening its first location in roslyn. morning,t in line this bill cosby. eating half in smokes since he worked for the navy and was in bethesda. critics call the 2014 oscars among the best award shows this spring. >> we will tell you who and why, coming up. >> we may soon have major developments in the so-called shadow campaign, which could have implications on the districts mayor race. >> another player involved in the shado

>> reporter: what's going on, a lot of russian troops have ascended on the crimea peninsula and basically haven't taken over the peninsula. but there hasn't been any bloodshed. they captured one of several installments here, one is here. and ukrainian soldiers basically surrendered. they couldn't leave the base where they were. and also, the russian forces have as taken over, what we understand is the naval sea here. ukrainian naval commander basically surrendering saying he did not want to be a part of this and being tried for treason. and now moving towards the black sea. although he has maintained that everything is status quo and that the coast guard has not basically in effect gone with russia. other issues that we're having basically across ukraine is, a lot of people in the eastern part of ukraine, are basically insupport of russia. and they're very afraid now with the new government that was installed last week in kiev. they say they're going to be persecuted. lots of demonstrations with that. and basically a lot of the russian foreign ministry is basically telling us that they're

. >> do you know much about the crimea peninsula, were you aware of this degree of tension that was existing you know, we have been over there for a couple of years, and i know it's very much leaning -- i from our location can see russia, literally from our roof, so it's very close to russia, and i had known that going there. >> all right. what happens now. your plant in crimea is sunflower oil plant? >> yeah, we have a division of our company that makes sunflower oil in the crieeia peninsula. >> so what is going on? >> we're monitoring the situation every day. and our factory is kind of removed from the capitol, but it is a concern, and we have been evaluating day-to-day on what we're going to do. >> you also have a company in russia itself, has any of the stuff that happened today have business? >> the devaluing of the ruble certainly helps u.s. exporters because it makes our exports cheaper. but we have almost pulled out, because it's very difficult to do business in that country and it is not getting any easier. >> do you have any particular goes? >> it seems to change hour by hour. but

russian troops are already in control of parts of the crimea peninsula. they say they're protecting their interests in the reason. in response the ukraine's acting prime prime minister put the armed forces on full combat alert. members of the un security council gathered here for emergency meeting to address the rapidly deteriorating situation. ukraine's un ambassador asked the security council to take action. >> this action by the russian federation constitute an act of aggression against the state of ukraine. >> president obama spoke two vladimir putin for 90 minutes saturday afternoon. he condemned military action which the u.s. considers to be breach of international law. >> the u.s. is reviewing russia's military moves in ukraine and is trying to figure how to respond. >> when we asked them about the russian military got involved, we got a very strong reaction. >> all around the bay ukrainians, russians and others who rushed to the u.s. after the break-in of the u.s. pray as they watched the events unfold. the troops seized two main airports, parliam

they believe that someone disabled its tracking device on purpose. >>> ukraine's crimea peninsula isparing for tomorrow's referendum on whether to join russia or remain a part of ukraine. international powers say they will not recognize the outcome. meanwhile russia said it will recognize the results setting the pace for a potential diplomatic fall out. today marks three years since the up rising in syria first began and the fighting continues with no end in sight to the conflict. the opposition objecting to president bashar al-assad running for re-election saying he has no legitimatcy. i'm morgan radford for al jazeera america. "inside story" is next. remember you can always follow us online. >> ed you ha yo this is the "inside story." >> i'm ray suarez. since the economy

themselves to create a land bridge, if you will, from russia across eastern ukraine, down into the crimea peninsulaat will give the russians a permanent foothold now that they have annexed the peninsula. they will be able to continue to resupply, reinforce and move anything they want to in there. that's the big concern. no sign, at the moment, of anybody stopping them. john? >> what do the ukrainian leaders think about this? there aren't going to be u.s. troops there. there won't be nato troops there to stop the russians from moving, if they want to. what would ukraine do if russia did something more provocative? >> well, they have announced the partial mobilization of their military. they are calling for 40,000 new recruits to the armed forces and newly constituted national guard. we have been to the training for the reservists they have signed up. they have earmarked $700 million to help pay for the modernization and mobilization of the armed forces. they announced they put the troops on high alert. they say they are fortifying the borders. one of the measures we heard within the last hour is tha

russia says it doesn't have a military presence on the crimea peninsula. russia not only has a presence, but they're constructing barbed wire borders and bringing in land mines. we report from crimea where she was involved in an intense encounter with armed forces. >> reporter: parked along the highway, linking crimea to ukraine, a convoy of russian military trucks and armored personnel carriers. we're approaching a checkpoint flying the russian flag where troops are searching cars, targeting media crews, and confiscating equipment. we hide our cameras as soldiers search our van. one of them is spotted, it's taken and turned off. this is now effectively part of russia and they don't want us filming the evidence. the local soldier in charge agrees to an interview. we're defending our people, he tells me, this is not about russia, but about protecting our homeland. as we drive through the check point, we see the new border that's being erected on this wind swept plain. once out of view from russian troops we stop the car and resume filming. russia says it ha

and one ukrainian prime minister abbas in the gaps in youth concert confrontation in ukraine's crimea peninsula has melted to the minute to study each. he was speaking off the dance of a ukrainian service men and wounding two others during the storming of the unit's a simple local people into russian troops for the incident in response the ukrainian government has authorized the use of weapons by this ministry for self defense. the rising tension has led to trenches been dubbed rei controls along the russian border in donetsk region xi team player alison of the russian president about to meet putin signed the treaty to comics crimea. thank you in the cold is cool car and its incorporation into russian moves against international law. hundreds of mourners paid their respects to crimean tartare which obama told his funeral in the crimean kept two of sinful. on tuesday the father of three dissipated march that the women in the tree jack is slipping away from the scene of the protest and simple to one of his friends said he'd gone into town to the ukrainian army the party of which outcome itself wa

the latest tactics to pressure russia to remove its troops from ukraine's crimea peninsula. ♪[ music >> the proposed referendum on the future of crimea would violate the ukranian constitution and violate international law. any discussion about the future of ukraine must include the legitimate government of ukraine. >> this comes as secretary of state john kerry is in rome pursuing a diplomatic solution. and the european union today suspended talks with russia on a wide-ranging economic pact as punishment for the incursion into ukraine. >>> being accused of setting fire to another teen aboard an ac transit bus, the teen waved his right to a preliminary hearing today. 16-year-old richard thomas is charged as an adult with aggravated mayhem and felony assault. there's also a hate crime clause because the victim describes himself as having no gender and wearing a skirt at the time of the incident last november. >>> the light display on the bay bridge will be turned off to mark its first anniversary today. all 25,000 l.e.d. lights will be blown out for just 10 minutes tonight at 7:00. afte

will not get involved militarily in russia's annexation of the crimea peninsula. the head of ukraine's national security counsel said ukrainian troops will be evacuated from the crimean basis. which are surrounded by russian forces. elizabeth palmer saw the start of that. >> reporter: by late morning the sign of victory, russia was flying over the ukrainian anyway owe headquarters as russian soldiers started moving in. they had no identifying patches on their uniforms. part of president putin's pre tense that his military didn't orchestrate the seizure of crimea. but that charade is over. that is an official staff car of the black fleet one of russia's biggest and more powerful military. a few at a time ukrainian servicemen trickled out of the base where they had been barricaded in for three long weeks. they were reluctant to talk but one cornered by the media seemed to be in shock. how do i feel, he said. i don't know what to say. it's just so unexpected. thousands of crimean soldiers dug in on their bases across this peninsula are now hoping the government in ki

they have concerns about the military presence on the crimea peninsula and they have concerns about how to put together a government amidst all of this chaos and tension. morgan? >> speaking of that government. you mentioned international observers that were shot at. so with all the russian boots on the ground in crimea, is ukraine's interim government really able to challenge what seems to be a russian occupation of ukrainian territory? >> yes, morgan, frankly speaking, no. they really don't. they've got some very issues when it comes to their military. it has been slashed time and time again over recent years. even at its strongest it was never going to be the match for the might of the russian army. they also, of course, have to deal with things on a political front. moscow won't even recognize this government. they won't sit down with them. they won't be in the same room. they've got to find some sort of legitimacy with the kremlin to begin some peace talks or some sort of arrangement so that this tension thistension, this crisie calmed down. they clearly have a lot to deal with as

secretary of state john kerry says he thinks this is a pretext to the crimea peninsula in the easternart of ukraine that is part of the ukraine. this is a serious act. the question is, what next? what consequences are the president prepared to pursue at this point? >> is the president doing anything to get putin to retreat? >> he talked to him 90 minutes yesterday. i don't think the the the talks went well. i don't think putin is interested he says he's there to protect russian interests, russians themselves in ukraine. kerry says that's not a pretext but a false pretext for why they're sending forces in. >> with all this happening so fast, we're watching it unravel. could this be the biggest foreign policy challenge for the administration so far? >> it's hard to count just one. the problem is it comes at a time when russia is major irritant in syria. the peace is not going well with questions about afghanistan. there's no doubt this is a front burner issue for the administration as it tries to marshal other countries to support the u.s. and isolate russia which i think is the only st

states and further president obama raised the threat of further sanctions and the troops in the crimea peninsulaould be moving into other regions. the downgrade or the u.s. sanctions are enough to slow putin's ambition to take over the entire of ukraine. that is according to a man that knows him better than most, he sat beside putin as a chief economic adviser and now work, for the unstiet, a think tank. i asked him about the latest approach on the sanctions. >> i think these new set of sanctions definitely would raise level of punishment for some of the russian persons, never the less i seriously doubt that those sanctions will produce the desirable effect on the russian side. we have seen the russian side retaliate with their sanctions against u.s. lawmakers. and seems to me that both sides involved in this battle do still have a lot of reserves, so that is why for the time being we'll see escalation from both sides without any break throughs. >> so, we can't see escalation to the ultimate point, but where does it become interesting and effective? russia's biggest thing that it can play is its

observers into the east of the country, but russia said that they will not allow them on the crimea peninsula. they say that is their territory, it is now the russian federation, and any disturbance there it is their responsibility and authority to take care of. why are they sending this osce observers out to the east, morgan? well, there is a very serious concern in kiev that russia has design on territory beyond the peninsula itself. they want to stir up another provocation between those who are pro-russian and those who are pro-western, kiev said that russia has sent in provocateurs to stir up that kind of provocation. the osce will go to the east in this country, checking to see if there are those kinds of provocateurs, but also to check on the moods of the people, and many who are ethnic russians, many who may feel they want to follow in crimea's footsteps. this makes the situation in ukraine precarious, and many people are washing precisely, very closely as to what is going on both in crimea, and in greater ukraine. >> as are we watching very closely. thank you. phil ittner joining us l

days that followed president yanukovych fled the country and russian forces took control of the crimea peninsula, and now that former of ukraine, formerly russia, is now heading to its independent status. it is assumed that it will be an interim status before it joins russia. what is at stake for the united states? what american national interests are on the line when people in other countries argue over a territory and in international board changes. prime minister yatsenyuk comes to washington hoping the u.s. will back its threats with action. president obama hosted his first meeting with ukraine's interim prime minister yatsenyuk wednesday. >> the interests of the united states are solely in making sure that the people of ukraine are able to determine their own destiny. that is something that we here at the united states believe in deeply. we know that you believe deeply in it as well, and you can rest assured that you would have our strong support as you move forward in these difficult times. >> the two leaders discussed peaceful ends. the goal, get russia to accept it's sovereignty and it's

of course, they're very nervous about russia's presence along crimea peninsula. there is nothing they can do about that. russia seems to be digging in for the long haul. europeans are debating of how to react to russia's actions in ukraine. and here it is a version of valentine's day, so there is a little bit of softness to the hard edge of this crisis. but nevertheless very much on the mind what is going on in what is now, as you say, turning into a geopolitical situation. >> phil, there wasn't any softness shown to the international observers in crimea who were shot at. what does that mean for cooperation in the days to come? >> well, that delegation that tried to get into crimea, the delegation for security cooperation in europe. interestingly enough, russia is part of that organization. they were trying to get in for a third day in a row to check on a number of things, not least of things those men with guns walking around in uniform but without identifying patches or insignias. they were turned away, and it does look like this is an intractable situation whe

its happening for a long time now, particularly not since russian forces effectively annexed crimea peninsula. after a referendum, a very controversial referendum. so both sides have their differing visions of the future in ukraine. they have their own interests in ukraine. there's lots to talk about in paris on sunday night. >> since crimea became part of russia, ukraine has par one regn left of odessa. >> reporter: ukraine is a country still coming to terms with what has happened, and what may be still to come. divided loyalties are playing themselves out on the streets. in the black sea port of odessa, ukraine's only se sea port. >> this is a stand of unity intended for russia who would preview autonomprefer autonomy. this is the kind of threat russia has promised defend ethnic russians in ukraine defend. >> reporter: they're an group that pro tests the protests that brought down the ukraine government. they are small in number but one of ukraine's biggest problems. glory to ukraine, they cry, death to our enemies. >> our enemies are those who want to encroach on our territorial he integri

. >> experts say russia's military intervention in the crimea peninsula marks a showdown on the future of ukraine. mike roger, chairman of the house intelligence laid out the options for the united states going forward. listen. >> russia believes there is nothing going to stop them which is why they have been so aggressiove in crimea. they are sending more forces to operate in the black sea. not a good idea given that we know that day has long passed. unless you are intending to use them, i wouldn't send them. you have now only economic options through the eu. i would use those and we shouldn't let the ukraine get the eu and the united states into a civil war, but there lots of good options leading up to that. >> joining me now the anchor of fox news sunday is chris wallace. good morning. >> good morning to you, jamie. >> i want to ask you about his comments. you broke news on your show from darrell issa. >> we did indeed. lois learner, the official who was called to testify last may about her involvement in the targeting of conservative groups and refused to testify citing her fifth a

there may be an answer to that, at the border that separate the crimea peninsula, where the soldiers are building an encampment. the commander agreed to talk to us. he didn't give his name but identified himself as a cossack from srn russia. >> translation: russians did not come to invade. we came and will go home after the referendum, after that the people will determine their decision and make their status known. it will be lij hate. >> it is set for march 30th. the ethnic russians see it as a chance to distance themselves from a country they felt they didn't belong too. >> translation: we will never become one nation with the western part of ukraine. we have different neurilities. our heroes are the soviet soldiers who saved from the nazis. >> international communities feared a further escalation. many feared the russian soldier's presence is a necessity. they continue their quest for greater autonomy from ecrane. >> thank you for that. let's go north to ukraine's capital and speak to tim friend, an anxious situation in the ukrainian capital as they monitor events in crimea. >> mo

breakthough investigative documentary series america's war workers only on al jazeera america >> the crimea peninsula home to russian's black sea fleet is part of ukraine. but for more than three centuries it has been lynched to russia. katherine the great conquered the tatars. >> the majority of crimea residents, 58%, are ethnic russians. before his ouster ukrainian president viktor yanukovych signed a deal with russia to keep the fleet in crimea. >> the black sea fleet has been the pride of the russian navy since peter the great founded it. it is the flagship literally so to speak of the russian navy. it is a point of pride to have is based there. it's not necessary military tayloilyfor them. i think it would be a very severe blow to russian pride to have to do that. >> russia is determined to maintain it's historic influence on ukraine. it was russia t that joined ukraine part of the soviet union. the ussr broke up in 1991 clearing the way for ukraine to gain independence while still seeking elusive national unity. >> joining us now with more from washington, d.c. is james, deputy director of the

time ago the russian parliament approving a measure to deploy troops to ukraine's strategic crimea peninsula sparking fears of an all-out war between these two countries. i'm gregg jarrett and welcome to america's news headquarters. >> i'm arthel neville. ukraine's acting president saying their country's forces are on high alert but are seeking a political solution by russia. the latest move by moscow is being met with anger

that is the russians think they have to move their troops not only into crimea, peninsula with navales and historically part of russia but eastern and southern ukraine generally, in which case enormous pressure for nato to move into western ukraine and then all bets are off. >> would the capability or capacity of ukrainian arm, where do they lie? >> the army, as much as it is, 30,000 troops, is ethnically russian. we don't know if they would follow kiev's orders f there was a war, literally even if we're not religious, we need to pray there's not a war. this would be a turning point in history. if there's a war, ukrainians would support kiev and west would become part of the fighters. they don't have an army that can fight. that would be as bloody as anything. it will be a civil war. ancient hate reds, tombstones will be kicked over as they say. ancient hate reds would rome the land for years and years. >> you've studied russian relations. how bad is this now? >> i think we have seen the decent of russia divide, the russian boersd. can it end there? i think it depends whether the wes

crim crimea peninsula on the black sea declared independence, a day after voting and joining the russian federation. a delegation of crimean lawmakers is in moscow to bid for annexation by russia. ukraine, the european union and the united states denounced the latest developments as violation of ukrainian and international law. e.u. announced travel and financial sanctions on 21 russian and ukrainian officials. president obama followed suite, ordering a freeze of u.s. assets of seven russian or allied officials, expanding a march 6 order targetting pro-russian ukrainian politicianses. sergey aksyanov is among them and deputy premier dmitry rogozin, the latter moging the move in a tweet asking "comraid obama, what will you do with those with neither accounts or property abroad or didn't you think of that." >> others mocked the sanctions as a pinprick, doing little to deter russia's intervention. vladimir putin officially recognised crimea's independence declaration this evening. but russians are not impervious to sanctions. the russian ruble looked at the dollar, russia analysis forecast