Kremlin hopes for dialogue after Ukraine vote

[dipsydoodle]

Last edited Mon May 12, 2014, 06:36 AM - Edit history (1)

Source: Associated Press

DONETSK, Ukraine (AP) -- The Kremlin on Monday said Ukraine's government should engage in a dialogue with the eastern parts of the country following the controversial referendums where about 90 percent of voters said they backed their regions' sovereignty.

The Russian government voiced its hope in a statement that "the practical implementation of the referendums results will take place in a civilized way," without violence.

It added that the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe could help organize a dialogue between Ukraine's government and representatives of the east, where about 90 percent of votes backed sovereignty for their regions in Sunday's vote.

The Kremlin statement signaled that Russia has no intention to annex the Donetsk and Luhansk provinces, like it annexed Crimea following a similar referendum in March. It also noted the "high turnout" in the vote and condemned the use of force against civilians in the east.

Read more: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EU_UKRAINE?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2014-05-12-04-31-37

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Lavrov: Kerry, Steinmeier call for direct dialogue between parties to conflict in Ukraine http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/lavrov-kerry-steinmeier-call-for-direct-dialogue-between-parties-to-conflict-in-ukraine-347422.html

[Jesus Malverde]

1. Dialogue doesn't seem to be on the agenda for Kiev

Couple weeks it will be their turn to show us their version of democracy.

It's going to be a bumpy ride.

[Igel]

15. Nor on the DPR.

Which last week said there could be no negotiations with Kiev under any circumstances.

Then there's today's DPR news dump, where "Strelkov" has declared war on Ukraine, said that all military and "militarized structures" are under his direct command, and anybody that doesn't follow his orders in those structures are traitors to be dealt with.

Oddly, the political leaders said that regardless of the outcome, the day after the referendum they'd disarm. Nobody's noticed that.

Of course later they said they'd form "real institutions," which would include an army. Which may have come as a surprise to the leader of the army that they'd already formed. It gets confusing after a while.

Strelkov also demanded that all the various Ukr forces immediately withdraw from the territory of the DPR--whatever he thinks that is. Presumably the referendum--which in Mariupol, assuming the referendum lasted 12 hours, required all the poll workers to process one voter each 1.3 seconds non-stop to reach the stated turnout numbers--is binding on areas where there was no election. Self-determination is for the privileged, the few.

So, yeah, I see your point--it's all on Kiev for not negotiating.

[Jesus Malverde]

17. Glad I got you turned around...

Anyway there aint much negotiating when the boys want to play...



If someone cares to get involved it will be a more equal fight..

[The Magistrate]

2. Negotiation Is Certainly Needed, Sir

'Practical implementation of the referendum results' is a non-starter, even as an extreme opening bid.

[bemildred]

3. Ukraine's Luhansk may hold referendum on joining Russia

http://www.trust.org/item/20140512105119-4lufy/

[Igel]

16. And others said they weren't. n/t

[bemildred]

21. That was yesterday. Probably not the same guy either.

They just kind of make it up as they go along. A lot of people seem to be doing that, now I think of it.

[bemildred]

4. Russia 'respects but doesn't recognise' East Ukraine vote: OSCE

"Russia sees a need to take into account the different voices in eastern Ukraine," said Swiss President and acting OSCE chief Didier Burkhalter.

"You have seen Russia's response, that there is respect but not recognition to the referendum. There is no recognition of these results," he told journalists.

He spoke after talks with European Union foreign ministers in which Burkhalter outlined a roadmap for peace for Ukraine beginning with a national dialogue moderated by the OSCE and an independent Ukrainian figure.

Saying "we can't lose time" in Ukraine, he said he hoped to see the dialogue launch in the next few days.

http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2014/05/12/russia-respects-doesnt-recognise-east-ukraine-vote-osce

[The Magistrate]

9. A Flat Statement Of N on-Recognition From The Russian Government, Sir

Would be better than a Swiss diplomat's interpretation of its recent statements.

Speaking of "the practical implementation of the referendums results", and desire this "will take place in a civilized way" can certainly be read as recognition.

[bemildred]

10. You want diplomats to speak clearly, Sir? nt

[The Magistrate]

12. Past A Certain Point, If They Want To Speak To Any Effect, They Must

It is essential, if this thing is to resolved peaceably, for Russia to pull the plug on its support and encouragement of the secessionists. That will take unambiguous statements, and unambiguous actions. They will need to forswear annexation, remove their operatives, and acknowledge they have no say in Ukraine's constitutional arrangements, and want none.

[bemildred]

13. It just seems unlikely, Sir. nt

[The Magistrate]

14. True Enough, My Friend

Among the reasons it is unlikely is that the goal is still annexation.

[bemildred]

5. Russia says no gas talks with Ukraine until debt paid

MOSCOW: Moscow on Monday ruled out holding new negotiations with Ukraine over the price it pays for Russia's natural gas until Kiev covered its outstanding debts.

The announcement raises the possibility of Russia following through on its threat to cut off deliveries to Ukraine next month in a move that would endanger the supplies of at least 18 EU nations.

"We are saying that in order to discuss any sort of compromise, the debts must be paid first," news agencies quoted Russia's Deputy Energy Minister Anatoly Yanovsky as saying.

"Pay the debts and then we can agree on something."

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/russia-says-no-gas-talks/1103370.html

[bemildred]

6. Russia blames U.S., Ukraine for preventing OSCE roadmap release

MOSCOW, May 12 (Xinhua) -- Russia on Monday blamed the United States and Ukraine for hampering the release of proposals on solving the Ukrainian crisis drafted by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

"Somebody in Washington and Kiev is against involvement of (East Ukrainian) regions in the dialogue, and this is why the roadmap drawn up by the OSCE chair is not disclosed," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told reporters following talks with his Ugandan counterpart Sam Kutesa.

"This is another evidence that Kiev has yet to realize the need to talk to its own people," the Interfax news agency quoted Lavrov as saying.

During a visit to Moscow on May 7, OSCE chairman-in-office Didier Burkhalter said the organization was mulling a four-item action plan offered for consideration to the four signatories to the Geneva agreements of April 17, so as "to know which items were points of consent and which might need adjustment for their soonest implementation."

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2014-05/12/c_133328704.htm

[bemildred]

7. German foreign minister to visit Ukraine

Frank-Walter Steinmeier "intends to travel to Ukraine tomorrow. He'll hold talks in Kiev, among other things, with representatives of the Ukrainian government," his spokesman told reporters on Monday.

Steinmeier also plans to visit the restive east of Ukraine and will aim to "support the efforts of the OSCE, efforts for a national dialogue", he said, referring to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

Under OSCE plans, a round table bringing together the different parties in the Ukraine crisis is due to begin in Kiev on Wednesday.

Veteran German diplomat Wolfgang Ischinger, a former ambassador in Britain and the US and current head of the annual Munich Security Conference, has been chosen by the OSCE as a co-moderator of the dialogue.

http://www.thelocal.de/20140512/german-foreign-minister-to-visit-ukraine-on-tuesday

[bemildred]

8. Lukashenko: West must not use Ukrainian factor to press upon Russia

http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/lukashenko-west-must-not-use-ukrainian-factor-to-press-upon-russia-347461.html

[oldandhappy]

11. You rig two elections and then expect dialogue.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

18. Staged votes, kidnappings, murders and armed occupation of government buildings....

....are hardly the best negotiating tools, one would think.

[okaawhatever]

19. Yes but Russia and East Ukraine have something Kiev doesn't, an army of couch warriors spreading

propaganda on websites.

[bemildred]

20. Russia says EU sanctions over Ukraine undermine trust

MOSCOW, May 12 (Reuters) - Russia criticised the European Union on Monday for expanding sanctions over the Ukraine crisis and urged the EU to respect self-rule votes in two eastern Ukrainian provinces.

"By continuing its faulty, anti-Russian sanctions logic, the European Union undermines trust in itself as a partner and casts doubt on its claim to an objective role in supporting a resolution of Ukraine's internal conflict," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The EU imposed sanctions on two Crimean companies and 13 people on Monday in response to Moscow's annexation of the region and its support for Russian-speaking separatists. The EU had already imposed asset freezes and visa bans on 48 Russians and Ukrainians.

Russia accuses the EU of helping the interim Ukrainian government come to power in what Moscow says was a coup d'etat in February, when then-President Viktor Yanukovich fled after three months of protests over his decision to spurn an EU trade pact and turn to Moscow.

http://www.trust.org/item/20140512190319-f6ts2/