they can and in the russian city of sochi for the opening of the winter paralympics. a record number of countries and ten trees and taking cost forty five delegation sloshed into the stadium in the lord of the russian alphabet the ukrainians had considered boycotting the games because of the russian occupation of training and he decided to take on as a way to keep attention focused on the crisis still one of the team's twenty three athletes entered the stadium this family stone was in baking the eye is downstairs and the chance and i speak a shift in the street and a message and the splashing down batty as i'm promoting inclusiveness. the athletes will compete in seventy two weekends of my templates. he does and sells them to leave dad has ramped up his visit to the united states but the message will make as he opened the senate session one of the display and peace the kids listened as the dollar amount i think the people i just be content to visit kilo mind that the chinese need as criticize president obama from eighteen last month. a few years politicians have met in

the grace of the russian soldiers that incorporated the soldiers into russian state. crimea, the city of great faith, the city of fortress. and the russian black sea navy. crimea is set up on a mountain. all these places are sacred for us. they are symbols of russian military glory and valor. crimea is also the convergence of different nations. and in that sense he is very much like great russia. where not a single ethnic group. crimea and other nations lived and worked together in the crimea peninsula preserving their ethnicity, their identity and language and their faith. of the residents of crimea, there are a million and a half russians, 300,000 aou rain yanns who speak russian. and 290,000 of them are towards russia. yes, there was a prerd when as many as a few other ethnic groups of people were unjustly repressed. many people of many nation alita nationalities suffered. i believe all legal measures have to be taken to process the rehabilitation of the people. the decisions that will rein state the rise in full volume. we are very respectful of all ethnic groups who live in crime

with the russian communists was inside the crowd started to like them yet skip the russian city. it is for president we're in a bid to avoid it since the violent confrontation the form of talks that some politician the target rich guy who was forced to cancel a rally that he had time in the decision today will force the cats got the crag is the internet's he tells us. yes with the kids arrived and onion morning you told me that he was yet to break its neck this incident that he would explain to them that it forgets that the my commitment is not the fastest method included the whole pool of radiance. it demonstrates that had gathered in both the good side to let each time the teacher was teaching the kid speaks to a demonstration in favor of ukrainian ut. he decided to teach abstinence and that is the press that they think is that the security situation was such that they felt it would be. with that link the progress that demonstrate to them again today. adt but i didn't see any kind in the state's new favorite ddt in the production demonstrates is that with thousands of them and t

broadcast the speech a few days ago by the tyrannical that the ousted leader who spoke up from the russian city of ross those other side of the border of very little sympathy here. even among people who voted up for a chemical that people who are members of his party of regions will send that email for the situation following the deadly clashes which left dozens of people dead many people here saying they want to see a change of faces and the change in the system now the media has been reporting this was the situation in the crimea as an invasion using that word term frequently and that's part of the terminology it's been embraced by the new ukrainian leadership here very much a sense that the russians have moved and are preparing to move in to other parts of the country particularly the russian speaking part of the east that is. this last point that probably needs to be seen places like donetsk for yesterday of pro moscow and pro uk of a sea of protesters faced off those protests were. ofcom they were cordoned off by police operated by police for those that turned deadly in violence at any mom

, that was the former ukrainian president, viktor yanukovych making an official statement in the russian cityrostonondon but he doesn't see himself as a the former ukraine president saying there he is the only legitimate president of ukraine, speaking of course from russia where he fled to after those mass protests that have been, that swept ukraine for months. let's go to our correspondent paul brennan in the ukrainian capitol kiev for us and, paul, viktor yanukovych dismissing any authority other than his own. >> yes, much of the rhetoric in this defiant address is familiar to people who saw his initial address just after he fled from ukraine over a week ago. he is talking about the i' illigitamacy in the kiev and appealing the united states to not support the kiev administration. remember, too, the prime minister is going to washington tomorrow and i think the plea from yanukovych and americans not to recognize the current kiev administration frankly is not going to hold any water at all and certainly not paid heed to. the initial reaction in the room with people watching the speech on tel

the country. thousands of pro russian protesters gathered in the eastern city of kharkiv on saturday. d the new government in kiev and called for reunification with russia. and there have been more pro russian protests in other parts of eastern and southern ukraine. the self proclaimed governor asked russia to set up a local consolate and give people russian passports. the protesters put up russian flags on city buildings. >>> an associate prefess or at kiev academy, he says that russia's pred vladimir putin is getting involved in ukraine's politics to send a message to his own country. >> i see this as being an issue that that putin wants to show that revolutions do not lead to anything good, because he's very afraid i've domino effect. he's very afraid of the fact that the ukrainian revolution will end up turning in to a new russian revolution and that will topple him. so he needs to show that revolutions don't show give you good results and as a result that have what he's trying to do is create a destabilized situation not in just in crimea account but the very big fear right now is

this was the first place where pro russian activists lowered the ukrainian flag and raised the russian flag on city hall. this is the first city where russian troops arrived i taking over the ferry terminal. from the hill on the terminal russia is only three miles away. for igor, his family has lifted in this spot for decades. first he was soviets, they are ethnic russians, and they've always looked east. >> i served in the soviet army. i speak russian. it's unpleasant to speak ukrainian. >> reporter: in the 80's his life was better. at the very least he had running water. now he relies on a well. he accuses ukraine for allowing crimeaen to live in the stone age. >> i do not believe in the ukrainian government, not the old one, not the future one, not the new one. >> reporter: constantine is a political organizer and militia leader. he said he has 4,000 fighters. >> we can mobilize a big army within an hour. >> reporter: he wants to join russia because he feels that crimea is culturally different than ukraines. he spreads hate towards europe. >> we see people we don't want to live like this people.

recently the us including awesome preparations for the g eight summit to be held in the russian city of saatchi in june. british foreign secretary william payne coupon sites to avoid conflict lainey take ukraine sovereignty. reports this moment of escalating tension i think russia will see increasingly over the coming days the very strong bones the us around the world by many many nations. and i hope that that direct communication between the two countries will do is take place. p and tory ministers to hold emergency talks and to all schools on monday amongst the well being is that the calling up the president on inefficient is that the judgment also angle on local hero stood to president region the day on today and expressed views on what she called russia's unacceptable intervention in ukraine. what also in much from the discussion is the patient is reported to have accepted michael's proposal to establish what's being described as a fact finding mission all time great aimed at creating donald the outset with a view to advancing the tension that week ukraine but not too many more de

integrity they said their suspending preparations for a g eight summit scheduled for june in the russian city of sochi. a us spokesperson said secretary of state john kerry will travel to the ukrainian capital kiev on tuesday to meet interim government leaders. the failed bid corn exchange town docks has set up a telephone hotline to fielding inquiries from angry creditors. the move is the latest exercise are in the movie is the latest exercise in damage control by the tokyo based firm the company filed for bankruptcy protection last week ceo mark karr palace says most of the big boys have disappeared into the legal access points are worth over one hundred million dollars. about one hundred twenty seven thousand users users had deposited their digital points or cash with mt docs but ninety nine percent live outside japan that means the firm will struggle to hold creditors' meetings a standard procedure in the civil rehabilitation officials say they are studying when and where to hold the meetings to explain what's going on. the sales tax in tibet is going up from five percent eighteen percent

on friday the gigantic only to resurface in the russian city of brussels long gone. in a press conference he insisted that he was still the rightful president of ukraine. in the most recent development armed aggression military units occupied strategic locations across the crimea on saturday. that is a provocation for the new leadership inil kenya keep a close eye on all of those about to eat and keep you updated but for now plummeting as just another internationally is that europe is gearing up for alexis to the european parliament today the center left grouping kicked off its campaign at a conference in rome by naming german social democrat martin schulz as its weekend of it special is currently president of the european parliament the center left wins a majority of seats overall in the eu polls he could become the next head of the european commission the news executive body the first guest to drum up interest among bus. true it's already has one of the top jobs in bras. as president of the european parliament is regularly called on european lawmakers to be proactiv

signs that said the pad thai she said that to save us all with in itself is a city legends with tremendous historic importance on and designs. and you would buy me new options as the russian city of hindu also looking to shed some light on the political class is that some are still had passed. if on the radio was to become part of the russian federation saying that to know all of. peoples living there i mainly use of eft questions twenty and send to twenty and that the russians ukrainians rather than koreans are daughters of the wood wall. share the same rights and going into the equal rights and that said there would be a police state languages russian ukrainian and tartare. your sink is so much for bringing us out of the highlights of the present within the said statement made to the upper house of parliament regarding the situation in the crimea and now we haven't missed a few marks the blog is for somebody maybe just doing this here on rt international market we have been talking about prisons with the statement and get on it to sink in to get your reaction on two of what he was saying also how what happened today. this truly historic moment that both of us who witnes

the country. next on people when they want to carry large pro russian pretzel stick and eating the skin cc donetsk as well as the southern city of food tents and many are demanding not just cancer ties to russia russian passports officials in moscow say almost two hundred and fifty thousand ukrainians have fled to russia since the ukrainian crisis first group and the wool from on this outlets had it to ukraine to get a full screen caps of gulliver pad is standing by for sneaking top ten now. but the latest reports coming in of the kids interim authorities are calling up its reservists headed there this sunday. oliver. what more can you tell us about that. what it would be repeated at the national security and that can build it it made a statement today in the ukrainian parliament than finding that the council had taken the decision to boycott the liberalization of the country's debt that. i know that even among ten pm and that the approach of the departement of people have received the call and to some of the predicament of the best time anyhow the only team to beat it. he was really determined to do so that ukraine was prepa

city has already voted. this is the first place where activists lowered the ukrainian flag and raised the russian flag on city hall. this is the first city where russian troops arrived, taking over the ferry terminal, and russia is only three miles away. the family has lived in this spot for decades, and they have always looked east. >> i served in the soviet army, he said. i feel it's unpleasant when i'm forced to speak ukrainian. today he relies on a well. he accuses ukrainian government of letting crimeaens live in the stone age. >> i don't believe in any ukrainian government, not the old one. not a future one. not the current one. thanks to these men he now lives under a new crimeaen government. they leave the headquarters. he is a political organizer and militia leader. he said he has 4,000 fighters. >> we can mobilize a big arm within an hour. he wants to join russia because he feels that they're culturally different and spreads hate towards europe. that hatred targets this city's few pro-western activists. a journalist in human rights. last week she withstood a furious crowd but she's not sure how long

summit in the russian city of sochi in june. >> we have to recognize the sovereignty and territorial integrity of ukraine has been violated, and this cannot be the way to conduct international affairs, and so in addition to calling yelled's emergency meeting of the u.n. security council, the united kingdom will join our g8 countries this week and suspending our cooperation under the g8, which russia chairs this year, including the preparation meetings this week for the preparation of the g8 summit. >> meanwhile, ukraine's military says he's calling up military reserve forces and wants them to be cam both ready as soon as possible. there are increasing reports of activity by unidentified gunmen and russian troops in crimea, including at a ukrainian base. there's a standoff between militia men and soldiers. they are meeting and discussing the security threat. nato's secretary general said russia is threatening peace in europe. >> what russia is doing now in ukraine violates the principles of the united nations charter. it threatens peace and security in europe. russia must stop its mil

russian force in ukraine. president putin asked for it, he got it unanimously. he called the situation in ukraine extraordinary with russian lives under threat. not long after the vote in the biggest pro-russian city in ukraine, chaos. dozens were injured as police battled crowds who raised the russian flag on the regional government building. these protests repeated in other cities in ukraine, east where many areas are now slipping out of the control of these men. ukraine's new government, unelected, untested and in a crisis. we wouldn't give in to russian provocation, says the prime minister. exactly what he can do is not clear. he can't stop this. russia, they chant. on crimea's streets they are excited russian troops are here. they want to see more. >> to protect us. >> reporter: you say the russian troops are here to protect you? >> of course, we are russians. we are russians. >> reporter: all eyes are on the military airport where russian planes, up to a dozen, delivered troops and equipment overnight. crimea, now tense, waiting to see if more, many more russian troops join these men. and tonight, a plea to president obama -- ukraine's new government has asked the u.s., nato and europe for h

the ukrainian flag with a russian one. the media is reporting that it's governor has fled the city and a pro-russian government has been appointedn its place. they join me now from texas. good to see you. eugene, you just returned, tell me what you saw. >> actually, roman was there. >> i'm sorry. >> go ahead, roman, eugene, i guarantee i'll get to you. >> yes, i just arrived from ukraine, and the situation is turmoil. >> you have 240 workers there. what are they telling you? are you able to operate? does it matter for the moment that maybe the governor is gone and there is a russian flag over the municipal building, does it effect what you're doing at the moment? >> at this moment nothing is effected as a matter of business. >> yes, it is very close, 12 miles 12 kilometers from the border in russia, and roughly 50% of the population of the city is russian and 50% is ukrainian, which always was brothers and sisters, and the problem with this whole community, they kind of split apart at this particular moment. some of them do want to go to russia. while i was there it was a petition to send to mr. putin asking to take control of t

or the germans, the british prime minister did confirm the plans to host the next summit in the russian city of sochi had certainly been deremained. >> we need to send a very clear message to the russian government and president putin that it would be completely unacceptable to go further into ukraine and that would trigger sanctions from the eu from the u.s. and other countries as well and we need to be very, very clear about that. >> russian foreign ministers have now holding other talks. we is hear what sergey lavrov had to say. >> we believe there should be a master form in the constitution of ukraine. we can't force ukrainian leaders the do that but that's our assessment of the situation that they're facing now. and this way we believe it would be possible to avoid a huge ukrainian crisis. also i've component to the acting -- spoken to the acting foreign minister of ukraine, establish normal dialogue that would include all regions of ukraine and all of its citizens. >> and sergey lavrov didn't seem bothered by attempts to isolate his country. >> no, and just to mention that press confer

the west. eastern ukraine is largely russian-speaking and historically has looked towards moscow. charlie d'agata is in the russian speaking city of donetsk tonight. >> reporter: pro russian demonstrators in donetsk want on the march. then went on the attack storming one government building in the most aggressive protest yet. protestors have managed to get past a line of riot police and break into the courthouse here. they not only support the referendum in crimea, they want one here too. breaking through one entrance wasn't enough. they went for every entry point. police didn't put up much of a fight. their own security headquarters came next. crimea's referendum to side with russia has only stoked the separatist movement here. these people want out of ukraine. >> when everybody here votes russia, not everybody feels that way. but pro ukrainian supporters have been told by a local pro kiev government to stay at home to avoid all confrontation. not a concern for these old soviet union army vets. >> are you hoping that the russian army comes here. >> he told us we are brothers. we are one people. we are russia. ukrainian governm

the mile-long line of russian troops and tanks that first arrived in crimea. thanks to her the world saw when russian troops first drove through the crimean city of kerch, and when they set up checkpoints. >> for exposing the russian invasion, she received the scorn of pro-russian activists. i met irina sedova two weeks ago in her home town. today, is it safe to object to the russian presence? >> irina sedova kept documenting russia's stranglehold. she kept getting threats. i spoke to her today. this time when she was on the run. >> on that day, irina sedova decided it was too dangerous to stay. >> do you hope to come back is this >> to save her family, she felt she had to leave them. her work had made them a target. >> irina sedova is continuing bearing witness, but for now the invasion, the annexation left her silenced. >> stilla head this morning, toyota paying a fine for a fatal flaw in its cars. the company will hand over more than a billion to the federal government. some say general motors could be next. people in cuba are finally allowed to buy cars. but it's a luxury that a majority of them can't afford. >> thursday is the official beginning of spring a

hundred people have rallied in the southern russian city across the pond on one marks for it to support the russian speaking population in twenty am and in other regions of ukraine demonstrators were holding russian flags and slogans urging support for crimea. among the demonstrators were volunteer with just come back from ukraine where they want to offer support. the kremlin meanwhile delivered a robust defence of russia back to the crimea same brush with youth sports in ukraine only as a last resort. most educated russians have come out against russian president but the report the decision to axe the crimean peninsula president would ever put in a given a theatrical hour long press coverage of the scalp and a cute the united states and european union of the beast instigating if not carrying out the fremont protecting key at that altitude wanted former president victory on a private in another development ukraine's be the flagship forget after the prosperous trade on tuesday having arrived in turkish territorial waters earlier in the day of enhancements like a is headed back to its hom

the news several hundred people have rallied in the southern russian city across the pond on one marks for it to support the russian speaking population in twenty am and in other regions of ukraine demonstrators were holding russian flags and slogans urging support for crimea. among the demonstrators were volunteer with just come back from ukraine where they want to offer support. the kremlin meanwhile delivered a robust defence of russia back to the crimea same brush with youth sports in ukraine only as a last res

people to become the nation's flag and replaced it with the russian one. the central city of seeing double. one ukrainian soldier has been killed by gunfire year. leaders in tsa russian troops also wounded another. but many officials have a different view. they state the unknown gunmen also killed a member of the local self defense unit of ethnic russians. it's not clear yet what exactly happened the international community has criticized russian leaders. i believe that he in russia for what they've done or on the wrong side of history. kerry said the us does not support the annexation. and sometimes it gets washed a half to be stamped out. the european union released a statement saying it will take a concerted action representatives are expected to discuss either sanctions against russia or later the week. i mean a species of this as japan will increase pressure on russia. japan cannot ignore a month and the team visited the school by force. of this as his government will consider financial assistance to help lead to a peaceful outcome in ukraine. professor no bullish not

the scenes at aljazeera.com/techknow. follow our expert contributors at >> >> a russian flag flying over the ukrainian city of crimea. international pressure mounting to pull back the russian troops. >> the trial of the century - an olympic athlete heads to court. >> rain, snow and its - a massive storm that already shut down the government. >> call it carnivale, call it mardi gras, or you can just call it the wildest party in the world. >> we begun with breaking news out of pakistan. 11 at least are dead after an ambush in a courthouse in the capital of islamabad. gunmen stormed a complex opening fire. one victim was a senior judge, the other two attorneys. it comes days after the pakistani government agrees to a ceasefire. the pakistani government is denying involvement in the attack. >> welcome to al jazeera america. i'm thomas drayton. we'll follow the latest on pakistan. first, a developing story. a great deal has changed in ukraine. russia controls crimea and southern ukraine. there's pressure from around the world for russia to remove its troops. the foreign minister says he'll meet with the u.s. secretary-gene

russian troops are still there. yes, john mccain has moved on from saying we're all georgians. the world happily decamped to the russian city of sochi for the olympics without protests about those troops that russia has left inside georgia. countries including our own were outraged when putin did what he did toward georgia in 2008, but over time we lost interest. and so their world, their motivations, their internal logic of what russia does, that is foreign enough and unknowable enough to us that we consistently over the decades are completely blind sided by the things that russia does even when they do them on a very large scale. also, though, that world is different enough to us that it is, i think, hard for us to sometimes stay focused on. we lose interest. they care about what they do a lot more than we care about what they do. the russian logic of invading georgia was this. they knew they were going to be getting some international opprobrium, right? upset people by invading georgia back in 2008. their calculous was they could bear the international criticism for doing it. their desire to occupy parts of georgia was s

point of view. >> the official russian view is that the moment that nothing like an intervention is going on. this is also what we hear from statements from the russian foreign min city. they're mainly responding to provocations. they're saying we're trying to keep the interior ministry and stress they're in the interest of the many ethnic russians and acting in accordance with the agreement. in general, it's very important to russia and seen russia is still hoping that with increasing the pressure on the government, will let go because for russia it's losing ukraine as a strategycal partner was bad. now also losing crimea would be the wost scenario. so they're willing to risk a lot. >> huge amount at stake. as we saw that message from balm quite strong wording trying to warn off russia. how far do you think moscow thinks it can go? >> well, president putin and his foreign minister, they're not known for fearing responses when it comes to foreign policy. talking with too many voices, therefore not really being taken serious. from the russian perspective, president obama long lost his ability to incriminate. when he first drew that infamous red line in the conflict in

the russian federation. which means to lead the border between the peninsula. ukraine now becomes the russian ukrainian border city of sin us to pull with the russian black sea fleet is based is a separate federal subject within the country. the same mistake this is most convincing peters died. the local population has already been given russian pole sports they can choose to refuse them to keep a ukrainian papers. but of course divorce is said pensions and salaries will soon be raised to russian metals. one of the ukrainian capital kiev crime is reunification with russia was not received well and is a typical cost of an increase in speech where he explained of the two ukrainians would go with him at the new authorities are becoming increasingly vocal please refresh the reports early in the oven and innovation into a sedan that ukraine's new continent. he and his consent to the country's information and techniques. when the resignation until the tops of the town of ukraine's national tv channel hers. well now the forward pass. i'm telling you see them sign your resignation shut up and take your hands off work and

pending may 25 elections illegitimate, and the interim ukrainian leadership bandits, speaking in the russian city of rostovondon, hard by the ukrainian border. >> ( translated ): i intend to continue to fight for the future of ukraine against those who are trying to seize it with the help of fear and terror. and i decided to announce it publicly. nobody ousted me. i was forced to leave ukraine under a direct threat to my life and the lives of my relatives. >> reporter: he blamed the west for creating unrest, and insisted he had not ordered riot police to shoot protesters in kiev, when more than 80 were killed. video evidence last week showed heavily-armed, uniformed security forces firing live ammunition in kiev's central square. ukrainian officials announced today they're seeking to extradite yanukovych from russia to stand trial for ordering those killings. and switzerland, austria and liechtenstein moved to freeze the bank accounts of yanukovych and his son. swiss prosecutors also announced yanukovych is being investigated for alleged money laundering. the apparent spoils of his rule were on d

crimea is now officially part of the russian federation which means the land border between the peninsula and ukraine now becomes the russian ukrainian border the city of seven stockholm where the russian black sea fleet is based is a separate federal subject with in the country. the same status as moscow and st petersburg the local population is already being given russian passports. however they can choose truth is that i keep the ukrainian papers. local authorities abbas has said pensions and salaries will soon be raised to russian levels. look at the red tape that still needs clearing up the first three sets of already been completed and you can see right here. now max the parliament has ratified the agreement that lawmakers need to pass into federal law. and finally the russian constitution and the land. western nations have turned to cold war rhetoric saying they want blood rush to get away with reunification that easily the revolution in kiev that toppled the democratically elected president is making some cry hypocrisy presentation speech made it very clear. that's what happened in crimea was going which was sold off the western backed to th

the crimea. alexander, it has been a tense situation there. tell us what is going on. >> some interesting developments going on here. presumably, russian soldiers took over control of key sites in the city. now there are reports that those men have started to pull out of the city center, and the pro-russian militia has taken over the control. i have been to the parliamentary building behind me. i have not seen any armed men and there. i have only seen members of the pro-russian militia. the government has issued a statement in the evening saying that everything is now under control, that the situation is stable, and there are reports that the airspace over crimea is not closed anymore, at least, according to official sources. the airport has started to work again. >> who is in control of the militia groups in the crimea? the suspicion is that moscow is orchestrating a takeover. here iswe can say from is in the hands of the pro-russian forces because, as i told you, they have taken the control of the city a few hours ago. it i talked to a spokesperson of the ukrainian armed forces here. unitsd me that some large of ukrainian armed forces has been surrounded by armed men ldmanding that th

but hollywood style in our day to come pretty ok perhaps find some solace for the people of the russian city of chile i've been speaking to reward him find out what else he does. the afghan capital has been hit by yet another taliban attack in the run up to the next week's presidential election militants fired at the main election commission headquarters from a neighboring house but were gunned down by security forces our correspondent lisa company of reports now from kabul. well the attack took place just down the road from here that's where the heavily fortified afghan election commission compound is located at about one pm local time a suicide bombers targeted nearby buildings afghan security forces had rushed to the scene as taliban insurgents reportedly unleashed rockets and gunfire from a nearby building now we are exactly one week away from afghanistan's presidential election the talabani has been determined to derail the violence and so far the insurgents have proven capable of making good on their threats on friday the taliban had attacked against house here in kabul they were actua

the new government in kiev. one group of hardcore pro-russians then stormed the local government building, raising the russian flag. by morning they'd gone, and the police appeared to be in control. this is the biggest city in ukraine's industrial heartland. a great deal is at stake. the pro russians are camped in the main square around the giant statue of lenin. their barricades covered in flowers and photos of riot police from the east, those killed in clashes with protesters from kiev. the fear is that this will be the next tipping point area in order to justify intervening on behalf of the russian speakers. this evening, we were invited into the pro-russian encampment. encouraged by events in crimea, they vow to defect the city from what they call extremists from the rest of the country. alexi told me that, while they were able to defend themselves, they would be grateful if moscow intervenes here, too. though, if that happens in the volatile east, it will certainly be messier than russia's clinical operation in crimea. ian williams, nbc news, kharkiv. >> there is plenty of tough talk today in washington about the situation in ukraine, but so far it is only talk. the u.s. may, in fact, have limited a

the cold. >> translator: there is no ukrainian army left. he says so we need protection. if there's going to be a referendum on crimea's future this city has already voted, raised the russian nag on city hall. and this is the first city where russian troops arrived. an activate recorded russians taking over the hill. for igor, that same view is painful. his family's lived in this family for decades. first they were soviet and ethnic russians. and always looked east. it's painful when they make me speak ukrainian. today he reliance on a well. he accuses the ukrainian government of letting crimeans live in the stone age. i don't believe in any ukrainian government he says, not the old one, not a future one, not the current one. thanks to these men he now lives under a new crimean government. they leave the local headquarters of the party that recently took over ukraine's parliament. constantine says he has 4,000 fighters. we can mobilize a big army within an hour he says. he wants to join russia because he believes crimeans are culturally different than ukrainians. >> we see homosexual people we don't want to live like those people. >> that hatred targets the city's few pro-

the new. several russian cities on the border with ukraine have seen massive rallies in support of the russian speaking population living mixed all around twenty thousand people took to the streets in the show solidarity against the radical groups they believe there's a risk to the population of ukraine the crowds emphasize the cocoa and historical ties between the nations and some are urging the authorities to open eyes really fun the health centers across the border. protests against the authorities in ukraine spread across the southeast in a country kid has asked for help from some of the people in the crowds on my kids into bed at square one rarely gets to the country's own accounts to be appointed governor in restive but economically powerful regions. it's part of his campaign to replace officials. it doesn't cost a lofty speech or that takes a closer look at them and given how the oligarchs who helped to finance the few against the dna code which is governments coming in kampala to with those that being appointed governors in the all important industrial heartlands old eastern ukraine th

way to outrun poverty. >>> tensions escalating on the ground in ukraine where pro-ukrainian activists were attacked by pro-russian groups in the crimean city of sevastopol. r russian troops in control of the region. john kerry warned them any moves to annex it would close the door to diplomacy. jennifer glasse is following the developments in ukraine. vladimir putin says russian ukraine won't go to war at all, but 16,000 pro-russian troops occupy the region in the west. is russia gaining ground? >> reporter: morgan, they are gaining ground. they surrounded another base today. that's a border point, a border base there. basically the coast guard. these are lightly armed very lightly trained folks. the ukrainians retreated inside the base. this is the 11th base they have taken control over since they arrived seven days ago. they've surrounded and blockaded ukrainian forces on the bases and ships at sea. basically the ukrainian military can do virtually nothing here in crimea. russian forces very much in control of anything that's going on. we've seen russian forces moving around the bases, and they're supported by these local self-defense fo

in the predominantly pro-russian area the city is surrounded by demonstrators gleefully celebrating theecision to join the russian federation. or constitutional fashion mark they don't really care. >> we had been once part of russia. >> the crimean parliament when it voted didn't concern itself over much with constitutional niceties either, but the results are overwhelming. 78 4, 1 against. explains, premier they won't get to vote until sunday week. the decision has already been made. how is this crisis going to be written off? will it be peaceful, or will it be violent in some way? think it will be peaceful. i think after two or three days under russian consideration. >> that includes problems within crimea itself. think approximately 75% want to be and the russian federation. crimea is russia. >> that's it. crimea is russia, he says. plenty of people here are worried. the leader of the crimean tartars, 12% of the population, called for a boycott of the referendum. tartars were treated with great ofelty, and they are scared rejoining russia. outside parliament in the was a seething mas

the russian government has stepped up the troop presence near the ukrainian border and ra shell is here with the story. >> the citiesordering the ukraine and confirming 8500 russian troops are taking part in a series of drilling and troops were seen firing rifles and grenades. a statement on the website confirmed the exercises had begun and didn't detail how long they are expected to last. the exercises raised concerns in ukraine and among the western political powers. there is a warning of a ka trofk fee unless russia and the troops pull back. >> it would massive consequences for russia economically and politically. >> just last night in ukraine a man was killed and dozens were injured during a fight in a russian speaking city. the russian president presidenten is asserting the right to protect the russians inside of ukraine and the russian troops seized control of the military bases in crimea and pro russian defense units joined in armed and today they took the oath to the regional government. that is the latest, john. >> thank you. now, the u.s. is still seeking a diplomatic solution and john kerry warned russia

russian force in ukraine. president putin asked for it. he got it. unanimously. [ applause ] he called the situation in ukraine extraordinary, with russian lives under threat. not long after the vote in the biggest pro-russian city the ukraine, chaos. dozens were injured as police battled crowds who raised the russian flag on the regional government building. these protests repeated in other cities in ukraine. where many areas are now slipping out of the control of these men, ukraine's new government. unelected, untested, and in a crisis. "we won't give in to russian provocation," says the prime minister. exactly what he can do isn't clear. he can't stop this. "russia," they chant. on crimea's streets they are jubilant russian troops are here. they want to see more. >> you say the russian troops are here to protect you? >> they're here -- >> of course. because we are russians. we are russians. >> reporter: all eyes are on the military jgairport, where russi planes, up to a dozen, delivered troops and equipment overnight. crimea now tense, waiting to see if more, many more russian troops join these men. >> that was nbc's bill neely reporting. ukraineians who live anywhere in the bay area are following the develop

own hands here and installed their own kremlin-backed officials, and they were flying the russian flag over the city hall, outside of the state administration, local administrations, that was until yesterday and today. they have taken those away. we've seen the russian troops, they've gone away as well. they've tried to give an illusion that there has not been a russian occupation here, that thousands of troops didn't come in here. but there is a campaign of intimidation against anybody who feels that russia should not be the leader here, that russia--crimea should not become part of russia. we talked to crimeans. many have left town. some have tried to leave town but they can't get out in time. the train is the only way to get to ukraine from here. and everyone where else from moscobutmoscow has been suspend. there is a feeling that those who oppose thin this, their vois won't be heard. they say you can't fly anything but the russian flag or you're attacked. a lot of people carrying the russian flags, souvenir shops carrying the russian flags. many are ethnic russians and feel this should be russia

crimea is now officially a part of the russian federation which means the crimean military guarding the border with ukraine now become a part of the russian army the city of sevastopol is a separate federal subject within the country at the same status as moscow and st petersburg and the local population is already being given russian passports however everyone free to keep their ukrainian papers as well local authorities have also said pensions on salaries will soon be raised to russian levels so let's bring you up on some of the more emotional parts of putin's address have a listen to this. everything has its limits and in the case of ukraine compartments of cross the red line who carried out the coup in ukraine knew nazis nationalists anti semite and they still defined the country's political agenda our western partners preferred to use the principle that might is right they believe that they're always in the right. now western powers could well attempt to hamper the reunification process but some experts that we've spoken to here at r.t. international they say that moscow is right to point out the hypocrisy of america and europe president putin's s

now its mainstay of the russian institute for democracy and cooperation city big old who teaches at the prestigious french political science institutes to all school and journalist. catherine field. catherine. very briefly what what you are reading on flattening of putin and why he's speaking out. the first time now. he had to speak count off to ms in moscow is still a month ago monday. this does not cut most of the values of the mill was losing badly. he was in need shade that he was in control. i think the new nokia is how he started the korean and chinese attacks have not been the kremlin. he has no fear in some ways quite cold here this week on the toe. q is being. safin has been soft there is very interesting what he says about former prison to cut it. that he is since he just dropped and left undone. and you don't even know he did still make the point that the fed the trendy fest agreement with the agreement and designs that is the one that should be standing not the subsequent to the government is in place and now. it's very hard to read annotation month never know them up. if he

russian presence - troops moving around and base, and politically as well. a real sense that the pro-russian activist and militias are empowered by the presence of the russian troops. if you go around this city, this capital, other cities across the peninsula, you get a sense of aggressiveness of pro-russian activists, pro-russian militia members being aggressive, confrontational with pro-western activists and is creating a split. the two sides seem to be digging in a little more. on the pro-russian side you get the aggressiveness, an assistance of numbers. there's a lot of people showing up to the rallies. the one today was 5,000 or 6,000. on the other side 300 or 400 on the pro-western side. in kiev, the capital of the country, the heart of the new government, the one that looks west - huge crowds, and a real sense that they are digging in for a fight. the prime minister talking about how he won't give a single inch to the russian crowd. as both dig in, the confrontation is mosh likely to -- more likely to happen. >> we have the referendum a week from today. what is kiev and the west and the united states doing to block that vote? >> well, this is important. this is basically a vote that i

and this is kind of the russian normandy or beach head, the first place that russians came into crimea, the first place where residents lowered the city hall flag that was ukrainians to raise the russian flag, and it's a place that very much supports this invasion and very much supports the referendum in ten days that will call for crimea to become part of russia. >> i don't know if there are any tatars there, they wouldn't be happy with what is happening there. are there any there who opposes the presence there. >> reporter: there is a tatar community and a small activist community. i spoke with them today, and they're running scared. they gave me video in which they were giving a rally or speaking at a rally, and they were pelted with eggs. they were yelled at by a huge crowd. the police, luckily, was able to protect these activists, but they say that they're marked. when i asked them what will happen for them if this referendum passes and crimea becomes part of russia, they say, i have to leave. i'm simply not safe here in this city where the vast majority of people have long believed that they were russian, and will certainly over

secretary of state is going to meet with the russian foreign minister in the neutral city of thes a few days after russian president spoke with barack obama for 90 minutes and they got nothing. crisis escalate since then and president putin is willing no one. yesterday, the president suggested that he had no intention of escalating affairs in the east of the country and he looks set to stand his ground in crimea. let's take a look at the relationship between the natural gas producer and the ukraine. relations and russia says the ukraine owes them $3 billion and this worries people that there could be another gas war between russia and the ukraine. we will take a look at that later in the show. >> thank you for that. that with the latest. jeffrey.s is richard investmenthief officer. it is great to speak to you. how it wasense about in the ukraine. this is the market story and this enters the cold war. markets should not be too beaten up. >> i am not sure it is an either or. and itre lots of nuances .s a reaction to a philosophy there is not a full richard to be had and we do not have eno

you heard earlier this late breaking news that the russian foreign ministry cities that secretary of state kerry and the russian foreign minister have agreed to settle this thing through constitutional reform of some sort in ukraine. what did you make of that? >> well, we've seen this movie before. we should be cautious. i want to now exactly what was offered in exchange. right now russia is feeling unique set of pressures other than international community, it's their economy starting to suffer. russia is so dependent on energy as the propping up their economy, any disruption in that, this i disruption in that cash flow has serious and real consequences. if this was just to buy russian's time i'm concerned. if this was truly an effort to allow the rove wren dumb to happen, so that they have the strength and negotiation with ukraine, the government of ukraine, that's whole different story. if the united states needs to take a pretty strong stand in relationship with our eu partners, now would be the time o ramp some of that up as we get to those discussions. if we don't, it's the reli

group because things the british government have done to to russian businessman and the russian members of the parliament and russian leaders that this is not the way for the city of london or anything else to operate but also about that you know. the effects of those sanctions supposedly harming various members of the russian government and indeed the former kiev government but we european leaders have your ideas good we have a word of it basically being a backlash and backfiring on them in economically just how damaging sanctions be on a struggling you. well i think you know we can have this tit for tat action going on forever if you like but it's absolutely ridiculous and we need to do business with russia russia is a serious player in the world and we cannot stop mucking about with their bank accounts. what sort of serious. why would anyone invest in the city of london that we're going to do things like that it's an absolutely ridiculous thing to do we should be we should be trying to ratchet this thing. amicable arrangement the whole thing as i said before is entirely caused by the european union becoming far too adventurous in areas they have no ability t