This is a comment from Kiev:
The Russian Federation has declared war on Ukraine… it is no longer considered as a neighbour, or a friend or a brother; it is a cruel aggressor, occupant and invader.

The world must be concerned about Russia’s ongoing armed military intervention in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. The Russian armed military units, which have arrived with expansionists plans, have already been two days in Crimea. The functioning of Crimea’s airport, parliament and border services have been blocked – the Russian invasion of Ukraine has begun…

Ukraine is still in mourning, remembering 100 heroes who have been murdered in the fight for EU values, a prosperous future and against the regime of Yanukovich, with 500 also ‘disappeared’ and 2,000 injured.

The Georgian scenario should not be repeated – Ukrainians have to stand united.

On the 1March 2014, the EU declared that in the 21st century, this violent invasion, which has occurred on the European continent, is unacceptable; the members of the EU should stand for the protection of Ukraine. The problems of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea should be solved with respect to the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. Any violation of these principles is unacceptable. More than ever, restraint and a sense of responsibility are needed.

Ukraine consists of two nations – Ukrainians and Crimea Tatars. The latter have the only single motherland, which is Crimea, where they have achieved peace after 25 years of brutal deportation. Furthermore, Crimea Tatars are ethnic brothers of Turks. On 1 March 2014 Turkey, as the member of NATO, officially confirmed its readiness to stand with Crimea.

The mass ‘No War’ demonstrations took place during the weekend all over Ukraine and in major European cities, including Brussels. In addition, severe sanctions have been demanded on the Russian occupation of Ukraine, which violates international law and has to lead to the complete political and economic isolation of the Russian Federation.

Furthermore, the EU and US should impose sanctions to express their outrage over Russian aggression, which includes eliminating Russia’s membership in G8 and G20, removing Russia’s membership if the WTO, cancellation of US visas to members of the Russian government and leading party members, including all the members of the families, as well as banning the import of dual-use technologies to Russia, that may help to develop their armed forces.

And the last demand is to freeze the assets and open an investigation of money-laundering activities conducted by Russian officials in the US.

For the first time during the 23 years of Ukrainian independence, outstanding calls for Ukrainian unity have been pronounced. Furthermore, leaders have announced general mobilization in the country. During the weekend, MPs in the Ukrainian parliament have held extraordinary emergency sessions on the denunciation of the bilateral treaty on the stationing of the Black Sea Fleet in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, termination of all gas agreements with Russia, as well as the denunciation of the Friendship, Cooperation and Partnership between Ukraine and the Russian Federation.

Ukraine has called on the United Nations for an immediate Security Council on Russian aggression towards Ukraine.

The parliament of Ukraine is calling on members of the Budapest Memorandum of 1994 for immediate security action to terminate Russian aggression on Ukraine territory.

Ukrainians do not want war, but peace and prosperity!Ukrainian citizens have to stay united and determined! Glory to Ukraine!