On March 10, Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Deshchytsia had a meeting with the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxemburg, a meeting with the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Romania, a meeting with the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Austria and the Secretary General of the Council of Europe. The meetings demonstrated unwavering support for the national sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Ukraine.

On March 10, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon made a statement on Ukraine, in which he expressed his alarm by the developments in Ukraine. He appealed to all parties to de-escalate tensions and to engage in direct and constructive dialogue in order to forge a peaceful way forward. A resolution of the crisis must be found on the basis of United Nations Charter principles, including the peaceful settlement of disputes and respect for the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, he said.

On March 11, the Verkhovna Rada of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea approved the declaration of independence of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol. The Russian Foreign Ministry declared the decision “absolutely legitimate”. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine expressed its decisive protest with regards to statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russian Federation, which recognized as legitimate the so-called “declaration on independence of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol”. Ukraine categorically condemns direct intrusion of Russian Federation into our country’s internal affairs. The actions of Russian side are in contradiction with fundamental principles of international law and generally recognized principles of states’ coexistence.

On March 11, Victor Yanukovytch held his second press conference in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, at which he claimed again to be the legitimate president of Ukraine and reaffirmed his non-recognition of the current Ukrainian government. He also declared his intention to address the U.S. authorities to provide a legal assessment of Ukrainian government’s activity. The Russian side continues using Mr. Yanukovytch to legitimize its aggression against Ukraine.

Prime Minister of Ukraine Arseniy Yatseniuk will visit the USA between March 12 and 14. He’ll have a meeting with President Obama, as well as meetings at the U.S. Congress, IMF and the World Bank. He is expected to speak at UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine on March 13.

A group of U.S. Senators, chaired by Senator McCain, will visit Ukraine between March 14 and 16. They will meet senior Ukrainian leaders, including Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada and Acting President Olexander Turchynov and Prime Minister Arseniy Yatseniuk.

Groups of Russian citizens move to mainland Ukraine to Odesa, Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, Zaporizhya, Dnipropetrovsk and Donetsk to participate in anti-government protests.

The number of refugees from Crimea, mostly Crimean Tatars, grows.

About 10 pro-Ukrainian activists were abducted by bandits controlled by the Russian side between March 8 and 10.

The blocking of Ukrainian military, border and naval units in Crimea continues.

Russian military aircraft conduct flights along the Ukrainian border near Chernigiv and Sumy regions. Russian navy ships maneuver in the northwest Black Sea.

Russian military equipment is moved to Crimea without control. 47 out of 56 objects of the State Border Service of Ukraine in Crimea are seized, blocked or made inoperative.

Belarus military units concentrate in areas from 8 to 10 km from the Ukrainian border. Citizens who cross the Ukrainian border into Belarus are interviewed by border guards and KGB officials.