Key Developments

• In a joint statement entitled The Hague Declaration, the leaders of the G7 reaffirmed their support for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Ukraine and refused to recognize the results of the Crimean referendum and Russia’s annexation of Crimea.
   
  • The G7 leaders called on Russia to adhere to its international obligations and to utilize diplomatic measures to de-escalate the situation.
     
  • The declaration definitively called off the summit originally scheduled to be held in Sochi in June and suspended Russia’s membership in the G8.
     
  • The document voiced strong support for Ukraine and its people, as well as the government’s reform efforts.
     
  • The declaration further supported the IMF’s central role in assisting, reforming and integrating the Ukrainian economy.
     
• Russia and Ukraine has held talks for the first time since the start of the crisis. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met with his Ukrainian counterpart Andriy Deshchytsia on the sidelines of the Nuclear Security Summit at The Hague.
   
• President Obama met with Kazakh President Nazarbayev yesterday at The Hague. While the details of the meeting have not been released, Kazakhstan is a close Russian ally and a member of the Russia-led customs union.
   
• Ukraine has been accused of retaliating against Russia’s annexation of Crimea by inducing blackouts in a number of Crimean cities via sharp reductions in the peninsula’s electricity supply. Crimea receives most of its electricity from mainland Ukraine.
   
• Pilloried for the Ukrainian military’s response to the Russian invasion of Crimea, acting Defense Minister Ihor Tenyukh has resigned and been replaced by Mykhailo Koval, a general commanding the Ukrainian border guards.
   
• Vice President Biden and Romanian President Basescu spoke on the phone yesterday about the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. Biden reaffirmed the U.S.’s steadfast commitment to Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty. Article 5 or the principle of collective defense provides that an armed attack on a NATO member will be considered an armed attack on all NATO members.
   
• Legislation for a U.S. aid package to Ukraine has advanced in the Senate. The bill, tied up in longstanding partisan disputes over a reformed IMF structure granting additional power to developing countries, offers Ukraine $1 billion in loans and $100 million in direct aid.  Another $50 million is slated to strengthen democratic institutions, improve rule of law and civil organizations and to help Ukraine recover assets stolen by the previous, deposed government.
   
• A U.S. poll conducted by CBS found that 61% of Americans believe that the U.S. does not have the responsibility to do something regarding the situation in Crimea.

Government Statements

“G7 statement – The Hague Declaration,” The White House, March 24, 2014

“Readout of the Vice President’s Call with Romanian President Traian Basescu,” The White House, March 24, 2014

Articles

Anthony Faiola, “A ghost of World War II history haunts Ukraine’s standoff with Russia,” The Washington Post, March 25, 2014

Sarah Dutton, Jennifer De Pinto, Anthony Salvanto and Fred Backus, “Poll: Most say U.S. doesn’t have a responsibility in Ukraine,” CBS News, March 25, 2014

Olena Goncharova, “Parliament names new defense minister as Turchynov calls Russia’s takeover of Criema ‘our general tragedy’,” Kyiv Post, March 25, 2014

Jim Acosta, “U.S., other powers kick Russia out of G8,” CNN, March 24, 2014

“Crimea crisis: Russia and Ukraine hold first meeting,” BBC News, March 24, 2014

Jonathan Weisman, “Aid Package for Ukraine Advances in the Senate,” The New York Times, March 24, 2014

Jeffrey Lewis, “The Ukes and Their Nukes – Why the Bomb wouldn’t have helped Kiev protect Crimea from Russia,” Foreign Policy, March 24, 2014

Stephen M. Walt, “Would You Die For That Country? – Why the United States needs to think twice before calling Ukraine an ally,” Foreign Policy, March 24, 2014

Ian Brzezinski, “Three ways NATO can bolster Ukraine’s security,” The Washington Post, March 24, 2014             

Elisabeth Brocking, “Monitoring Moscow’s Victory – Why International Monitors in Ukraine Benefits Russia, Not the West,” Foreign Affairs, March 24, 2014

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