A source from the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) has said warning shots were fired at international observers trying to enter Crimea today.
As a convoy approached a checkpoint manned by pro-Russian forces, three warning shots were fired. At the request of Ukraine, the United States and 14 other nations formed an observer mission to monitor military developments in Crimea on Tuesday.
Russian President Putin and Defense Minister Shoigu have not yet acknowledged responsibility for the buildup of forces in Crimea, and refuse to confirm the masked troops are Russian.
While Moscow calls them “local militias,” numerous news outlets have confirmed they are Russian soldiers, identifying their uniforms, license tags, and posts on social media networks.
The OSCE issued a press release today expressing concerns about freedom of the press in Crimea.
Extreme censorship, shutting down media outlets and press hubs and attacks and intimidation of journalists must stop immediately. – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović
The signals of numerous Ukrainian television stations have been cut and journalists have reported intimidation and threats.
Concern grows in the international community as the situation in Ukraine and Crimea continues to escalate. Harsh economic sanctions imposed by the EU on Russia would also harm Europe, which imports much of its energy from the Russian Federation.
The EU also comprises much of Russia’s foreign investment and economic powerhouses like Germany have a robust trade relationship with Russia. German companies have 22 billion USD invested in the Russian Federation and Germany is Russia’s third most important trading partner.
-Polive
Polive Review 