Security Council Meeting live Here. Ukraine and Russia are about to square off there.
We don't have any solid details yet, circumstances being what they are, but Ukraine's government has attempted to re-take Slaviansk from Pro-Russians whom they are now calling "rebels." The government says they control half the city, and claims that many of the pro-russian forces have been killed or arrested.
Moscow is calling for an emergency security council meeting. I'm embedding the press conference below, it was scheduled to begin at 11:40 but they're running late. Here's the link to the security council.
I will be updating this post as details emerge. There's a lot of disinformation, but there are good journalists on the ground who've been able to cut through some of it.
9:07 AM PT: I have it confirmed by the BBC and others that two government helicopters were shot down in Ukraine last night.
Obama is live.
9:15 AM PT: Obama:
Germany and US "United" in their support of Ukraine's ability to carry out law enforcement actions. Asks Russia to have groups release OSCE observers, stop funding them, and encourage them to disarm.
Germany and US will move quickly on additional steps and further sanctions if they do not.
"That is a decision facing the Russian leadership. Our preference is a diplomatic solution."
At the exact same moment, the Russian UN Ambassador is saying that the US and Ukraine have no interest in diplomacy.
Merkel is about to speak.
It seems at the moment that the government has a lot of military forces in Slaviansk, but are moving forward slowly.
9:19 AM PT: Merkel says that further sanctions against Russia will be "Unavoidable."
Mentions that the US has agreed to discuss privacy protections in regards to the NSA.
Meanwhile the French Ambassador says that in Eastern Ukraine, "Armed Thugs have refused to implement the Geneva agreement which was designed to restore the Ukrainian state."
9:25 AM PT: French Ambassador calls Russia a "Pyromaniac Fireman," demands that Russia have the OSCE observers released, and begin stabilizing the situation. Asks us to bring an end to this "bad spy model," says we don't need an "amateur vodka drinking James Bond," we need to return to our international principals of peace and diplomacy.
UK Ambassador calls the Ukraine military action legitimate.
"There is no councilmember around this table that would allow towns in his country to be overrun by armed militants."
9:25 AM PT: UK Ambassador blasts Russia over Syria.
"Russia's claims that these are peaceful activists are not credible. Peaceful activists don't have the capability to shoot down helicopters."
9:28 AM PT: Reportedly, this was the weapon used to shoot down helicopters in Ukraine.
It's called a MANPADS, a Man-Portable Air Defense System. It's a modern Russian missile, similar to the American Stinger missile.
9:50 AM PT: Paraphrasing US Ambassador:
There are two falsehoods being pushed by Russia.
First, that this is an unrestrained, large scale attack on unarmed civilians by Ukraine.
That is false. This is a targeted attack on Russia supported militants. The violence in this region is primarily coming from those same russia-directed militants.
The second falsehood is that Russia is concerned about instability in eastern Ukraine. Russia can't be concerned about this instability because Russia is causing this instability.
This propaganda is cynical and disingenuous.
From the outset the government of Ukraine has sought to raise all issues peacefully through dialogue.
Ukraine sought dialogue after Russia subverted Crimea, invaded Crimea, held a separatist Election in Crimea, and then annexed Crimea, all while lying about its intentions and presence every step of the way.
Ukraine sought dialogue as it was carved up. As foreign operatives moved on to its soil. As a military buildup began on its border. And as Moscow threatened invasion/
Ukraine has shown remarkable almost unimaginable restraint.
It has done as this council asked. It has committed and recommitted to dialogue.
We are seeing the same tactics in eastern Ukraine that we saw in Crimea. We are seeing destabilization, threats, terrorizing of the local populace by armed groups, the seizure of government buildings, the same sudden appearance of unfamiliar men with advanced armaments.
The same tactics are being used. Russia shows the same outrage every time Ukraine attempts to protect its own citizens and restore order.
Ukraine's attempt to reclaim one city is reasonable proportional and what any country would have done in the face of this threat.
If 2600 kilometers of Russian territory were seized by armed groups , how would Putin respond? Would he act with restraint? Would he refrain from military action, hoping that cooler heads would prevail?
It has been 63 days since Russia began attempts to annex Crimea.
Through those 63 days, Ukraine day after day chose peace, while day after day Russia has chosen to pursue more territory.
The ambassador listed illegal actions by Russian militants. Murder, the seizure of buildings, the seizure of international OSCE observers, etc.
Says that osce monitors were abducted in defiance of this council and the world community.
Meanwhile, the Russian Federation is building a case for intervention.
The country that has a right of self defense is Ukraine, not Russia.
Russia fools no one by calling its troops peacekeepers.
There is no evidence that russian nationals have been threatened in any way.
If Russia wants peacekeepers should seek UN peacekeepers
It is Russian separatists who are threatening Ukrainians, not the other way around.
These are not activists, they are armed operatives. It must stop
We asked Ukraine to engage in restraint and they heeded our call, we asked Russia to cease their invasion, and they have not heeded that call.
We call on Russia to cease its provocative acts and to fulfill its Geneva Commitment from which it has walked away.
(Note, this was very quickly transcribed. Much is paraphrased. I'm sure there are errors.)
Both Luxembourg and Argentina spoke in support of Ukraine's right to protect its own people from armed groups.
9:53 AM PT: Australia is calling Russian action destructive.
The entire security council so far is demanding that Russia implement the Geneva agreement.
Chinese ambassador is speaking now.
9:56 AM PT: China gave a VERY short statement which simply demanded that all parties settle this peacefully, and stick to the Geneva agreement. No support for Russia.
9:57 AM PT: Representative from Chad speaking now.
9:59 AM PT: Chad is condemning the most recent acts of violence, and calls for an immediate halt to all combat both by government and separatists, demands the release of OSCE observers, and reiterates that only a political solution can work. Calls for deescalation, restraint, and calm. Chad would invite countries having an influence on the parties to use all means possible to establish direct dialogue between the parties.
Asks secretary general to step up efforts to achieve dialogue. Lithuania speaking now.
10:03 AM PT: Lithuania is blasting Russia.
"Ukraine has the right to protect its unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity."
Mentions Aleppo, and the bombing of an elementary school by Assad.
"This has not been condemned by Russia."
Mentions the helicopters.
"Peaceful protesters do not shoot down helicopters. They do not take morning walks with automatic weapons. They do not take hostage and parade international observers. If these protesters had not taken up arms against their own state, this would not be happening."
10:05 AM PT: Last paraphrases from Lithuania, just so that's clear.
I'm trying to find live streams from Slaviansk.
Seems that the Russian Separatists have threatened so many journalists that no one is live streaming.
That's the difference between Maidan and the Russian Separatists. Maidan wanted things done videoed, streamed, and in full view of the world. The separatists have attacked journalists, notably Ostrovsky, the Vice Journalist who was beaten for asking uncomfortable questions and filming the takeover of a Ukrainian police station.
10:09 AM PT: Nigeria calls on all parties to de-escalate tensions. Asks for the Geneva Agreement to be enacted.
10:11 AM PT: Nigeria says that if this situation isn't stabilized, it will have a domino effect on that region and the world, and cause further destabilization.
10:13 AM PT: Jordan is speaking in support of Ukraine, denounces rebels for use of force, intimidation of civilians, and refusal to obey the Geneva Agreement.
10:16 AM PT: Violence has broken out in Odessa between Pro-Russian protesters and Ukrainians.
Video:
10:16 AM PT: Chile speaking now.
10:20 AM PT: Chile asks for de-escalation, but makes a statement in direct support of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine.
10:25 AM PT: So far there is no support, AT ALL in the Security council for Russia. Everyone was either neutral, or blasted Russia for its actions.
Republic of Korea is now speaking. Demands that all parties implement the Geneva Agreement.
10:26 AM PT: Ukraine is now speaking.
10:28 AM PT: Ukraine says that Russia has taken no action in support of the Geneva agreement. Accuses them of creating an atmosphere of "Terror and Violence" by giving support to militants.
Says that this action is an attempt to isolate militant units from civilian populations within the city.
10:29 AM PT: "No tanks or missiles are used against civilians."
10:31 AM PT: Ukraine says that this is a large-scale counterterrorism operation.
Says it is happening in Slaviansk and one other city.
10:33 AM PT: Ukraine says that those who lay down arms will be given amnesty except those who have engaged in murder and torture.
Demands that all armed forces lay down their arms.
10:34 AM PT: They're asking Russia to stop the hysteria. "If you are concerned about the violations of human rights of civilians, then protect them in your own country."
10:35 AM PT: Russia is speaking again.
10:39 AM PT: Russia is saying that they want diplomacy and talks, and that they're only really interested in stability and diplomacy. They're saying that the rest of the world opposes diplomacy and doesn't care about the implementation of the Geneva Agreement.
Russia says that they support the implementation of the Geneva Agreement.
Says the Ukrainian government is illegitimate and radical.
Blames Kiev for the Russian Militants.
10:40 AM PT: Translator is having a hard time.
10:41 AM PT: Says Russia has asked for Dialogues and a Constitutional Assembly, and has been denied.
10:42 AM PT: On Geneva Agreement: "Russia would NEVER deny the implementation of any useful document."
10:43 AM PT: US is speaking.
10:44 AM PT: For the Russians to blame Ukraine for this defensive action is like the story of the schoolboy who returned with his nose bloody and his shirt torn. When is mother asked when the fight started, he said "It started when the other boy hit me back."
10:48 AM PT: Another lie:
That the US and other countries never called on protesters in the Maidan to leave buildings or avoid violence.
She then lists multiple instances of the United States repeatedly condemning and criticizing Maidan, Right Sector, and illegal groups. Called for everyone to refrain from violence and destruction of property.
"If we could take that lie off the table, that would be constructive."
Asks will Russia:
1. Make public statements and work behind the scenes to have separatists disarm and vacate government buildings.
2 Answer how people wearing their military uniforms who claim loyalty to their government got the capability to shoot down helicopters.
3 Support elections on May 25th.
Russia speaking now, accusing the US of lying.
10:49 AM PT: Security council meeting is Adjourned.
10:50 AM PT: Security council considering a statement, proposed by Russia, in support of the Geneva Agreement.
11:00 AM PT: The situation in Odessa is pretty extreme.
Here's what we can tell so far, but these are preliminary reports:
Pro-Russian activists attacked the central administration building in Odessa. Ukrainian civilians showed up to extract them, and surrounded the building. They broke into the building and both sides began fighting. Heavy objects including furniture and pots were hurled out of the building onto the crowd outside, and the Ukrainians were pushed back, with several people killed or severely injured.
Members of the crowd responded to the killings by hurling Molotov cocktails into the building. Police showed up to push the crowd away, and I've seen images of firefighters helping people out of the building.
Seven people are dead, coming from both sides, and I would expect the death toll to rise.
11:13 AM PT: Protected by riot police, the Pro-Russians are being led out of the administrative building en-masse now, and loaded onto busses to protect them from an irate crowd.
The crowd is chanting "Odessa, Ukraine. Odessa, Ukraine."
11:30 AM PT: As night falls in Odessa, and things settle down, I think it's time to bring this live blog to a close.
Here's what we know.
What Russia calls "peaceful civilians" and what Ukraine and the rest of the world call armed militias loyal to Moscow shot down two Ukrainian Military Helicopters with, probably with Man-Portable Air Defense Systems, and the probable system is the Igla, Russian for needle.
In response, violence broke out between Ukrainian protesters and Pro-Russian protesters in Odessa.
People on both sides are dead, and the Pro-Russian protesters have been evacuated by the Ukrainian Police. It's not clear if they were arrested, or taken out of there for their own protection. After people died, both sides were furious.
I haven't seen any pictures, but Medics on the ground have said they were treating Pro-Ukrainians for bullet wounds.
It appears the Molotov Cocktails were in response to gunfire from the Pro-Russians.
The Russian protest camp in Odessa has been burned to the ground, and the Administrative building that the Pro-Russians attempted to seize has been heavily damaged in the fighting.
11:31 AM PT: And a final H/t to Mimi who has typed up a transcript of the Merkel/Obama press conference here.