I don't know yet but Oleg Tsariov has withdrawn based on, clearly the message sent execution style of Kharkiv's Mayor and how Kiev's failure to offer an equal access to the media's for all candidates had the potential to lead to the withdrawal of the South Eastern candidates which will prove to be a mistake if the election scheduled in May takes place but no surprise for now. Even if the security situation doesn't allow the candidates with a Russian speaking background to campaign in the entire country, no candidate may create a negative vacuum for the South Eastern communities,  a negative for the South Eastern communities interests creating a moral vacuum hard liners will quickly exploit, may be.

Of course there is, to better understand it you can use this page http://geert-hofstede.com/france.html select Denmark in the comparison country and you'll see a rational explanation of the things you felt and others you are trying to guess but demonstrate the connection between the power distance and the policies of neglect and abuse of the native nations or national minorities following land grab is a difficult one

Because it is a credibility thing that's why it empowers even more the Russian speaking communities, Kiev acting authorities attempt to murder a leading politician of their opponents and there are no sanctions which reinforce the feeling the Russian speaking communities are under attack, the "western powers" backing a bunch of criminals. Amazingly enough Kiev conducts its business making the very same mistakes Tbilisi made dealing with the Abkazian and Ossetian nations failing to enable the democratic institutions that allows to deal with difficult matters peacefully when they are built bottom up.

Not that I know. We may depending on how it goes. Have u had the hearing date

Not much can be done now, there was a limited time frame after the Geneva agreement for Kiev to take a range of initiatives and engage with the moderate leadership of the  Russian speaking communities to forge the elements of a reconciliation, it did not happen and both side hardliners get a free ride as a result, the new round of sanctions feeding  Kiev's hardliners with a false sense of western powers backing impunity while on the other side it is feeding the feeling there can't be a compromise and a prosperous future for the Russian speaking communities within a true independent Ukraine.  The murder attempt of Kharkiv Mayor an opponent to Kiev acting authorities will empower even more self proclaimed Russia's interests crowds that have failed to understand so far the diaspora soft power...

Have no idea unless details of the investigation come out before the trial begins but it will get tricky if indeed the Tsarnaev brothers can be tied to the same groups of Chechen jihadists knowing that FSB Director Bortnikov mentioned in the same memo, was evidenced this past week by Ahmed al-Ibrahim, an adviser to some of Saudi Arabia's royals and officials, who stated: “The bond of trust between America and Saudi Arabia has been broken in the Obama years, we feel we have been stabbed in the back by Obama.” Although the post came after the Boston Marathon attack it doesn't look good.

 Depending on what it is about... this map is telling how complicated the story behind today's events is to draw borders just as it is to call for smart thinking when the passed shows the changes were hardly ever inspired by the populations and nations well being and interests but rather the result of military domination powered by an imperialistic political will, just in case http://rus.ruvr.ru/images/static/infographycs/ukr_eng.jpg
Going back to ur earlier post, here is what I recalled from previous posts "A grim memorandum circulating in the Kremlin today written by Federal Security Services (FSB) Director Alexander Bortnikov outlining the new security measures being put into place throughout Russia ordered by President Putin a few hours ago in response to the deadly Volgograd terror attacks further warns that Russia’s leader has, in effect, vowed to “destroy” Saudi Arabia as he personally is blaming them for this horrific crime against humanity.

Of the terror attacks themselves, Russian Deputy Emergency Situations Minister Vladimir Stepanov is reporting to the Kremlin that the two Volgograd explosions have hurt 104 people, of which 32 were killed.

The twin explosions hit a crowed trolleybus and train station.

This FSB memo reports that the trolleybus suicide bomber has been identified as Pavel Pechyonkin, born in the Mari El region and who joined resistance forces in 2012.

According to this FSB information, Pechyonkin, aged 32, is a former paramedic. In 2012, he joined the bandit underground, having left a note for his mother on his lap top computer. Pechyonkin has since communicated with his parents two or three times via the Internet.

Of particular concern about Pechyonkin for Putin, this memo continues, was this suicide bombers location this past year which the FSB confirms was in Islamic rebel held territories of Syria controlled and funded by Saudi Arabia.

Critical to note, and as we had reported on in our 27 August report Putin Orders Massive Strike Against Saudi Arabia If West Attacks Syria, Saudi Prince Bandar bin Sultan, this past August, secretly offered Russia a sweeping deal to control the global oil market and safeguard Russia’s gas contracts, if the Kremlin backs away from the Assad regime in Syria.

When Putin refused Prince Bander’s “offer,” however, and as reported by London’s Telegraph News Service, this Saudi Prince stated to Putin, “I can give you a guarantee to protect the Winter Olympics next year. The Chechen groups that threaten the security of the games are controlled by us.”

Barely over a fortnight ago, this FSB memo says, Prince Bandar, again, came to the Kremlin and in a secret meeting with Putin reiterated his threat to cause terror in Russia to which Putin suggested to the Saudis that they abandon “sectarian instigations and supporting terrorism, because it is a double edged sword that will rebound inside Saudi Arabia and gather momentum in a manner that you will not be able to control.”

Now that is all hear say and no one has been able to produce any authenticated extracts of the FSB report.

May be but they need to hear it and see the policies that will allow that

I mean that's my sentiment... it is a two way road, by repealing the Russian language as a state language, the Ukraine's Gov asserting its independence finds itself fully in charge, responsible and accountable for the Russian speaking communities ability to speak their language in every area of their daily life and their relations with the Ukrainian administration, to celebrate their culture and to economically thrive in the Ukrainian society.

It depends how you look at it... If you exclude the state relations between Ukraine and Russia that shouldn't play a role here, the tensions were heightened after the repeal of the language law and looking at it, it could well be due to the lack of preparation and not thought through consequences. Clearly the lack of project of what should be the Ukraine state from the Maidan crowd lead to decisions making satisfying more passed frustrations and feelings of Russian domination true or not than responding to urgent economic woes and well thought state institutions reforms addressing the political landscape representation issues and communities relations. Among the consequences the repeal of the language law was from the Maidan crowd only seen as a Ukrainian identity affirmative action of the Ukrainian state and an independent message from Russia miscalculating the impact it will have on communities relations within Ukraine. Due to the lack of explanation and communication of the Kiev authorities over their intentions and language policies, the Russian speaking communities were left to evaluate the consequences of  the policy reverse decision and what will be the future not just of the Russian language but of the Russian language speakers in Ukraine's society with very little references elsewhere. It shouldn't come as a surprise that their reaction is to feel rejected, the Ukrainian identity affirmative action of the Ukraine's state felt as a rejection of who they are and their imagination left to evaluate the type and intensity of the discrimination they will have to face in the future to access a wide range of civil service positions and the possibility to be turned into second class citizens as it happened in the Baltics... If the Kiev authorities want to see any normalization they will have to come forward with a comprehensive plan explaining the sense of the Ukrainian identity affirmation and how it is disconnected from the policies within Ukraine's society towards the minorities languages, cultures and well being.

I wouldn't say that yet but this isolated incident doesn't mean the de-escalation is compromised at least as long as there isn't a sign of more incidents given the authorities in Kiev don't take any initiative to compromise the truce as long as no major plan addressing the fears and worries, the political changes in Kiev has initiated, has not been presented to the populations who support the militias in the East and are willing to leave Kiev's power perimeter. The simple fact they are willing to do so, informs clearly of the level of mistrust and work left for Kiev to restore a normalized level of relations with the population of these areas East and South East Ukraine.

don't know as it is unclear who leads the investigation into the incident for now but there are reports of documents found with a badge number 20 allegedly from the Right Sector while Ukrainian Security forces denies any involvement or participation of the suspected organisation

No idea yet depending on when

That is the article about it http://rt.com/news/ukraine-presidential-candidates-attacked-516/ did u get more?

Don't know yet but he said he'll post during the night although it looks more awkward by the day. It was rather clear following the unconstitutional removal of the Ukraine's elected president that there was a significant support to the concept of a homestead for the Ukrainian nation able to shelter it's language, culture and rights to self determine its future, the only question unanswered was can the Ukraine state harbouring the Ukrainian homesafeland be more than just that by committing itself to harbour other communities among which the numerically important Russian speakers communities, deal in a smart way with the anxiety the ousting of an elected official always suscitate among voters, win the trust of these communities with a set of policies aimed at protecting their interests and by then show their involvement at making sure these communities feel also home in Ukraine. Instead so far it looks that the contentious issues with the Russian Federation have influenced the acting Ukraine's officials policies towards these communities prompting them to feel under attack and seek protection from their own hardliners rejecting every day more a shared future within a Ukraine state they understand only turned to serve the Ukrainian nation. It was the duty of the ruling power to demonstrate that regardless of the difficult memories both nations have, these communities would be sheltered from any fallout of on going dispute with Russia, their presence was highly appreciated, the Gov ready to examine any reasonable demands helping them to thrive. Failing to do so has exacerbated mistrust and fear, lead to defiance and overtime it will probably prove to be a terrible missed opportunity to show that the path to a true independence safeguarding the cote interests of a nation is also the opportunity to witness its best when delivered from the struggle for its own rights it is sharing that freedom by sheltering the language, culture and interests as much as possible of the communities living on its soil. Not exactly by sending troops if they make mistakes...
Do you have anything more, English speaking Russian medias have reported 4 deaths and two wounded at the airfield excluding it could be civilians.

Download video  since u know most candidate just tell me. But the still looks to be Oleg Tsaryov while the following views the incident with another candidate Both Dobkin, he as well was on his way to the same talk show.

After a tv show in Kiev, do u have it confirmed?

No you are mistaking, Tsaryov is the Party of Regions deputy and candidate at the Presidential election of which he a couple of days ago wished to see it held in autumn arguing the situation in the country doesn't allow a decent campaign and is risky. He didn't know how much.

The beating of candidate Oleg Tsaryov last night is going to have a ripple effect feeding the existing fears in the East that there can't be a compromise and any trust in a Gov they wouldn't elect. It shows that campaigning in the entire country may prove to be impossible for any candidate of the party of regions. If confirmed he is in a serious condition, the situation will be in the coming days increasingly dangerous. Today's UN report was looking for facts, I guess it will be satisfied. Just wondering if u have any report confirming casualties at an airfield today?

No just a joke, someone made a mistake and the Swiss President ended up greated with Denmark's flag.

Kayo is sometime too cynical...15.04.2014 06:34

Never mind, Yats is learning the rope. If he's lucky he would have mastered the Prime ministerial pose before we cast him aside. In the interim he can continue to blunder as much as he likes. We, the west, cannot risk putting a smart person in his position for now.

Well it is inevitable under these circumstances... you have that "US Intelligence services occupy an entire floor of the security service HQ in Kiev, Ukrainian Presidential candidate Oleg Tsarev said. “I know from many officers from the security service of Ukraine that the American intelligence services very actively participate in all that occurs in Ukraine. They tell me that a whole floor of the security service was offered to the American intelligence services. The Ukrainian officers have no right to go there,” RIA reports citing Tsarev's words." and “According to our information, in eastern regions of Ukraine provocations are being planned near the border in order to discredit the military personnel of the Russian Federation,” former Ukrainian interior minister, Vitaly Zakharchenko, said in Rostov-on-Don during a press conference with ousted President Victor Yanukovich.
The latest ultimatum from Ukraine's acting President will just make things worse without a crystal clear project that addresses all the outstanding issues that motivate the fears of the population in Eastern Ukraine.

I knew you'd say that but you have the same issue... The actual situation has put President Obama in the wrong place and allows the "Maidan" hard liners to block legislations that could ease the situation many moderate candidates to the Presidential election support as they have understood no pressure will come their way as it would immediately seen as US foreign policy and White House weakness, the Ukrainian nation will ultimately pay the bill...

Still looking out for it. The situation is now worse and what was possible  a week ago by reforms and reorganisation of the political landscape has now vanished. What had started as a Ukrainian political stand off and should be just that has now turned into a stand off between President Obama and President Putin leaving no room for an easy de escalation and is feeding hard liners of both sides as the sanctions and heated arguments flying around prevent the two powers to play their role of moderator. The sanctions reinforce East Ukrainian fears that there is an international support to target the only support they may be able to have should the Kiev gov to go after them for a revenge and forces scores of them to go back to Russia as it happened in the Baltics and it prevents the Kremlin to have a reassuring tone securing Easterners that they watch their back and encourage them to show patience and engage in the political compromise.

A section called Why identity matters. Hungary's new law on Citizenship and the Reorganisation of an Organic Nation may be of interest to you, just in case you missed it View/Open

No, I don't know it says that Hungary removed a residence requirement for naturalisation opening there by the door to naturalisation of ethnic Hungarian minorities living abroad... but it doesn't say, or I haven't get to it yet, anything of the legal path to prove ethnicity and or is it some kind of exam as to check your knowledge of the language, culture and history of the nation and a summary of your ties with it.

You should find some of it here http://cadmus.eui.eu/handle/1814/14625 although it doesn't say much of the legal path. If I can will post you whatever I got later tomorrow. In the meantime can you check the hidden motives behind the uproar the move has provoked. Could we see something similar from Scandinavia or at least a piece of legislation to fast track citizenship it would be just great specially for communities that have forced to cut off ties and have lived through periods of death threats for speaking the language or related religious activities from the state they are under administration.
You may want to have a look at http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/894cfe5a-be41-11e3-961f-00144feabdc0.html?siteedition=intl#axzz2yYT8cfho .

It isn't yet confirmed but it shows that time is running out, when Donetz security will be in the hands of an armed militia it will be extremely difficult to reverse anything to avoid a civil war. It may be already the case and if the fighting starts, the partition will be inevitable. I'd say right now, just wondering, once the court ruling will be known how long will it take or is the court ruling the citizenship?

This is how the letter ends .../... It goes without saying that Russia is prepared to participate in the effort to stabilize and restore Ukraine’s economy. However, not in a unilateral way, but on equal conditions with our European partners. It is also essential to take into account the actual investments, contributions and expenditures that Russia has shouldered by itself alone for such a long time in supporting Ukraine. 
The first answer to get is how much will it cost the tax payer? What is the type of partnership that should rule the future relations with Russia to avoid the ugly stand off seen for weeks now.

Why? What can do people that do not support the ECRML and the FCNM in the EU, nothing ... they can stay home and fully enjoy their high degree of intolerance and avoid polluting the EU parliament. What has your PM said about V. Putin's letter?

Haven't had much time today but the following looks to be the most important for the EU citizen. A roundup over the nature and amount of trade and banking activity with Ukraine in every country involved would be more than welcome as well as a response to Russia's remarks and demands, what can be done, when, for how much with a conclusion covering the risks and rewards of addressing the imbalances the letter refers to. The letter was addressed to 18 head of state  Monrovia, Romania, Turkey, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, Macedonia, Czech Republic, Poland, France, Germany, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Serbia, Bulgaria, Austria and Italy.
Was wondering what are the numbers you have by member states?
In this manner, during the past four years Russia has been subsidizing Ukraine’s economy by onffering slashed natural gas prices worth 35.4 billion US dollars.  In addition, in December 2013, Russia granted Ukraine a loan of 3 billion US dollars. These very significant sums were directed towards maintaining the stability and creditability of the Ukrainian economy and preservation of jobs. No other country provided such support except Russia.

What about the European partners? Instead of offering Ukraine real support, there is talk about a declaration of intent. There are only promises that are not backed up by any real actions. The European Union is using Ukraine’s economy as a source of raw foodstuffs, metal and mineral resources, and at the same time, as a market for selling its highly-processed ready-made commodities (machine engineering and chemicals), thereby creating a deficit in Ukraine’s trade balance amounting to more than 10 billion US dollars. This comes to almost two-thirds of Ukraine’s overall deficit for 2013.

To a large extent, the crisis in Ukraine’s economy has been precipitated by the unbalanced trade with the EU member states, and this, in turn has had a sharply negative impact on Ukraine’s fulfillment of its contractual obligations to pay for deliveries of natural gas supplied by Russia. Gazprom has no intentions except for those stipulated in the 2009 contract, nor does it plan to set any additional conditions. This also concerns the contractual price for natural gas, which is calculated in strict accordance with the agreed formula. However, Russia cannot and should not unilaterally bear the burden of supporting Ukraine’s economy by way of providing discounts and forgiving debts, and in fact, using these subsidies to cover Ukraine’s deficit in its trade with the EU member states.../...
You will find the letter here http://en.ria.ru/russia/20140410/189149133/Putin-Warns-of-Ukrainian-Default-Urges-Talks.html

No kidding. Not the case, if there is truly a need for some demagogue speech, the Kremlin can withstand some of that but it won't replace the real thing. He should be touring the east and south east holding rallies to explain what will be the policies from the New Kiev authorities towards these communities, how the power will deal with the outstanding issues and more importantly say how tolerant is the Ukrainian nation, that of course all the necessary steps to accommodate the Russian speaking communities will be made, reassure that no discrimination will be tolerated while stand firm over the principle that of course no non native language of any non native communities of Ukrainian territories will be given a state language status. The FCNM will be fully enforced to guarantee the Russian speaking communities their culture can thrive and art will be encouraged while thanking their communities for the tremendous contribution they make to Ukraine's economy and society. That's how I look at it, I know u r a bit fan of the guy but so far I think he lacks some courage, even if u were right and I doubt it, but let's say some of the local leaders want to please the Kremlin hoping for some favour in return, these communities are made of folks that are worried of their future and awaiting clear answers that they will not find themselves tomorrow with the same headaches the Russian Baltics communities have experienced, I haven't seen him deliver on that.

Reuters did an EU "support group" should be announced tomorrow to help the political stabilisation, the economy and to prepare the path for the structural reforms. It doesn't say what may be the immediate EU demands that can be key to de-escalate in the eastern region the tensions if it adresses the understandable fears the communities targeted as Moscow's proxies feel and witnessed through the most recent adopted or planned legislations neglecting minorities languages.

Don't know yet he hasn't posted yet if he does. Just for the record Yatsenyuk is sometime just a pain in the arse.. what plan is he talking about, planning ahead of the overthrow of Yanukov to have well established local leaders in these cities the population trust that can be turned on from a switch at the Kremlin, that's not serious.

There is a risk and Kiev's is so far ambiguous, however the Kremlin wish to distance itself from separatism, if Kiev keeps raising these communities fears, to escape Kiev's power perimeter they will engage into processes from which it will be extremely difficult to withdraw if not impossible with an almost certain violent outcome leaving very few options. It is fair for the Kiev authorities to engage with due diligence to de-escalate the tensions with these communities starting with an end of the groundless accusations of them only acting on the Kremlin's behalf. They are people too.

What's going in Donetsk just echoes the ambient rhetoric it may serve Kiev's untold goals but it is uncomfortable to think a genuine support for the Ukrainian nation's rights is turned into a proxy serving the political goals of a fraction of the nation.

Well just to make sure the evaluation doesn't miss any dimension of it

Due to Kiev's tone... the tone is different and that's what raises the fear factor, what was just bad memories and nightmare could come true with the support of a foreign coalition supporting Kiev authorities ignoring the ground situation and blinded by their will to undermine Putin and Russia.

No, not that I know. The renewed Kiev declaration the Kremlin is behind East unrest (Karhov & Donetsk) is among the sign they are looking forward to a partition a Russian military intervention would facilitate. The sanctions over Crimea have increased the credibility among the Eastern Ukraine Russian speaking community whether ethnic or not of a true threat to their interests, after loosing the candidate they had elected, under the impression they are not any more represented by the New Kiev authorities, the old fears of mistreatment and rights denial ethnic and language based have resurfaced.

It fell on Sen Cruz Alaska pipeline but it will depend on how the wide science community reacts... As well as the ground situation, renewed tensions won't help very much the Senator to make the case.

“About a year ago Russia successfully launched the RadioAstron research satellite,” Sagdeyev said. “It is a unique radio telescope, as a matter of fact, a system linked with ground-based radio telescopes with unique resolution parameters, capable of examining the tiniest details thousands of times better than Hubble or other optical telescopes. Cooperation under that project synchronized the operation of telescopes located in different continents and providing support for RadioAstron. One of these ground telescopes, the main one in Europe, is located in Crimea’s seaside resort of Yevpatoria. I do not know what will happen to it now and what steps will be taken in practice (in the wake of NASA’s declaration)," the scientist noted.
This was today ans was wondering who according to you is in the best situation to intervene in this specific case to avoid the down fall of sanctions on projects or cooperations Russia is involved but a much wider community  benefit from. ISS exclusion not applying here?

Meaning the timing is suspect...to me, given the Crimean authorities are the very same.

Just asking in what does it participate in de-escalate the situation, generally speaking, protect the rights of minorities languages speakers whether in Ukraine or Crimea and at least on this specific issue return to the convention framework spirit which had seen so far a complete and full straightforward cooperation from Russia?

And? What does it say?

With in mind that the ECRI is somewhat disqualified following their lack of action in Corsica, Breizh, Eukal Herria (north) and quite a few other places... the sudden interest for Crimea looks suspect. Look into Tass reports there should be something about a meeting with Tatarstan head with Putin.

Don't know anything about it but... here is the roudup : 
France Manufacturing PMI released this morning set at 52.1 in March up from 49.7 in February with Markit signalling PMI rises to 33-month high in March as new orders return to growth 
 Key points: 
 Solid rises in production and new orders 
 Employment increases fractionally 
 Input prices fall at sharpest rate since July 2013
Documents to be found here http://www.markiteconomics.com/Public/Page.mvc/PressReleases

On thursday (three days before they vote again) Markit released the France Flash Composite PMI set at 51.6 up from 47.9 in February with Markit signalling Flash France Composite Output Index rises to 31-month high 
 Key points: 
 Flash France Composite Output Index(1) rises to 51.6 (47.9 in February), 31-month high 
 Flash France Services Activity Index(2) climbs to 51.4 (47.2 in February), 26-month high 
 Flash France Manufacturing Output Index(3) rises to 52.8 (50.8 in February),34-month high 
 Flash France Manufacturing PMI(4) climbs to 51.9 (49.7 in February), 33-month high 
Documents to be found here http://www.markiteconomics.com/Public/Page.mvc/PressReleases

Most French companies have been very positive in their guidance expecting record profits for 2014. Now can't tell why these positive numbers haven't been used in the electoral campaign... no idea ;

ItarTass or Novosti cause I can't find it?