Huge Throng Hears Introduction of New Ukraine Leaders; Some Cheered, Some Jeered; Armed Group of 50-60 Men Seize Crimean Parliament, Raise Russian Flag

BALTIMORE, Maryland February 27, 2014 - Despite the biting cold of a February night, a throng of Ukrainians estimated in the "tens of thousands" listened as a slate of new ministers for their fledgling government was introduced in Kiev. And while some of the new ministers were loudly cheered, some, including the two men expected to lead the government, were conspicuously jeered. Photographs appearing in the Kiev Post illustrated the size of the throng and the steps they had taken to protect themselves against the frigid Eastern European winter temperatures. Meanwhile, an armed squad of 50-60 well-armed men described by witnesses as ethnic Russians took over the Crimean Parliament building in Simferopol, and raised the Russian flag over it.

Governments around the world expressed deep concern over events in Simferopol, with the USA appealing directly to MOscow to avoid military involvement of any kind, The Polish Foreign Minister, Radoslaw Sikorski, echoed the sentiments of many European leaders, and called the apparent Russian intervention a "very dangerous game". The German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, called on Russia to respect Ukrainian independence and territorial integrity.

Introduced as prime minister to the crowd in Kiev was Arseniy Yatseniuk. Mr. Yatseniuk was to be officially introduced in the Parliament today for his position. No other candidates for his post were announced. When he was introduced to the crowd in Independence Square in Kiev, he was jeered. Also jeered was the interim president, Oleksandr Turchynov, who had stepped in after Viktor Yanukovych fled late last week after signing an agreement with heads of the Euromaiden movement that had put thousands of demonstrators in the streets of Kiev every day for months. The Euromaiden Movement advocates close ties for Ukraine with the European Union. Yanukovych had first indicated that he, too, favored closer ties with the EU, but then reversed himself and promised very close ties with Russia. This is what led to large-scale demonstrations in Kiev. The Ukraine Parliament has issued a warrant for Yanukovych, claiming he was the person who issued orders to police to shoot at the demonstrators. Some 80 of them were killed.

The 39-year-old Yatseniuk is believed to have the backing of the United States, the AP reported. Before Yanukovych came to power, Yatseniuk held positions such as economy minister, foreign minister and parliamentary speaker, the AP added.

Meanwhile, there have been reports that Russian Strong Man Vladimir Putin today ordered Russian Jets to patrol the Skys over Eastern Ukraine while at the same time revealing that he is harboring Yanukovych in Moscow. On the Crimean Peninsula at Simferopol, armed gunmen stormed the Parliament Building of the autonomous Crimean Republic, but it was unclear who the gunmen, said to be well-armed and carrying grenades, were connected to. Some believe the men are Russian owing to the numerous weapons they display. The Parliament, which yesterday suspended the current Crimean Tatar government and ordered a referendum on a plan to pull away from Ukraine, was stormed by pro-Ukrainian demonstrators. The gunmen now in charge ordered the demonstrators still in the Parliament to leave.