Foreign Secretary William Hague will travel to Kiev today to meet Ukraine’s interim leaders as the crisis in the former Soviet country escalates ever closer to war.
Pressure is mounting on Vladimir Putin after Russia yesterday authorised military action on Ukrainian soil, but so far the president has ignored the widespread international condemnation of his country’s aggression.
In a 90-minute telephone conversation last night US president Barack Obama warned Mr Putin that Russia had flouted international law and urged him to pull forces back to bases in Crimea.
Prime Minister David Cameron has also told Moscow there is “no excuse” for military intervention in Ukraine as he reiterated warnings that the “world is watching”.
But in a defiant statement the Kremlin said that the situation in Ukraine posed “real threats” to Russian citizens living there and emphasised its right to protect its interests and the Russian-speaking population.
Ukraine has accused Moscow of a “military invasion” after armed men seized control of airports in Crimea on Friday, but the pro-Russian leader of the region yesterday called on Moscow for support.
Russia’s move sharply raised the stakes in the conflict following the ousting of Ukraine’s pro-Russian president last week by a protest movement aimed at turning Ukraine towards the European Union and away from Russia.
Ukraine says it has put its army on full combat alert following the widespread deployment of Russian troops.
Nato and EU officials are due to hold further talks in the coming days.
In a second emergency meeting of the United Nations’ Security Council last night Ukraine’s UN ambassador asked for it to do everything possible to stop Russian “aggression”.
UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon urged Mr Putin in a phone call to “urgently engage in direct dialogue with the authorities” in Kiev.
British ambassador Sir Mark Lyall Grant, who called for the meeting, said the UK had sought “an immediate and full explanation” for Russia’s decision to authorise military action and for its basis under international law.
He told the Security Council: “The United Kingdom is deeply concerned by the escalation of tensions in the Crimean Peninsula, and by the fact that the Russian parliament has authorised Russian military action on Ukrainian soil against the wishes of the Ukrainian government.
“This action is a grave threat to the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine. We condemn any act of aggression against Ukraine.”
He added: “It is critical that the Russian Federation respects the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine and takes immediate steps to calm this dangerous situation.”
Speaking after the meeting, Sir Mark said that ” there is no justification for Russia’s military activities in the last 48 hours”.
Mr Hague summoned the Russian ambassador Alexander Yakovenko to the Foreign Office last night to meet political director Simon Gass and hear the UK’s reaction to the deepening crisis.
An FO spokesman said: “The political director expressed deep concern at the Russian Parliament’s decision to authorise military action in Ukraine against the wishes of the Ukrainian government. The political director asked the ambassador to urge his government to respect the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine.”
Mr Hague said yesterday he was “deeply concerned” at the decision of the Russian parliament to back Vladimir Putin’s call for the use of troops in Ukraine to protect ethnic Russians and a military base in Crimea.
“This action is a potentially grave threat to the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine,” Mr Hague said.
He also spoke to Ukrainian acting president Oleksandr Turchynov and made clear the UK’s support for Ukraine’s new government, urging him to ensure that the government takes measures which unify the country, and that it protects the rights of all Ukraine’s citizens.
Mr Hague also spoke by telephone to his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov to call for calm as tensions heighten over the strategic region.
Speaking of his visit to Kiev today, he said: “I will reiterate the UK’s support for the territorial integrity of Ukraine. I will also discuss how the UK can support the Ukrainian government in recovering improperly acquired assets.
“The EU must agree urgently an asset freezing regime to target those suspected of laundering the proceeds of corruption. On my instructions, the British embassy in Kiev has told the Ukrainian government that we stand ready to provide Ukraine with technical advice on asset recovery.”
Mr Cameron said yesterday : “Britain views the developments in the Ukraine with growing concern.
“This afternoon, in view of the seriousness of events unfolding there today, and the Russian Parliament’s decision to authorise Russian military intervention, the United Kingdom has called an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.
“There can be no excuse for outside military intervention in Ukraine – a point I made to President Putin when we spoke yesterday.
“Everyone must think carefully about their actions and work to lower, not escalate tensions. The world is watching.”
Source Article from http://uk.news.yahoo.com/hague-heads-kiev-crisis-talks-060624480.html
Hague heads for Kiev crisis talks
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