TODAY: Kremlin publishes ‘White Paper’ on Ukraine human rights violations as clashes continue; Rights Council seeks Western advice; Russian planes encroach on US, Japanese airspace; Putin signs new laws including ban on swearing, denying Nazi crimes; China ‘de facto’ recognises Crimea; Eurovision drama brews.

The Foreign Ministry has published an 80-page ‘White Book’ presenting details (often with vague or no sources) of ‘widespread and gross human rights violations’ in Ukraine, for which it blames the West and the new government in Kiev.  The report, published online and in English, was presented to President Vladimir Putin yesterday, apparently with the aim of drawing the attention of international legislators. The President’s Human Rights Council is seeking help from the UN and OSCE to arrange talks between warring parties in Ukraine, where fatal fighting continued yesterday between soldiers and separatists.  NATO’s top military commander says he does not think that Russian troops will enter Ukraine, because Moscow’s goals will likely be achieved by the ‘unconventional forces’ already wreaking havoc in the country.  Could Latvia be next on Russia’s list?  Will Moldova’s plans to forge closer ties with the European Union put it in Russia’s line of fire?  Since the Ukraine crisis began, Russian air activity in the Asia-Pacific region has ‘significantly increased’, with Russian planes flying near California and Guam, and into Japanese airspace.