U.S., Russia To Hold Talks Amid Crimea Tension
There has been much speculation about Russian forces deployed in Crimea since February 28.
March 05, 2014
Lavrov, speaking in Madrid before the talks, blamed the current crisis on Western support for the Ukrainian antigovernment protesters, whose actions he called a "brutal violation."
"We are convinced that the root of all the problems is, in fact, that the international community did not manage jointly to react to the antigovernment protests that were conducted in brutal violation of Ukrainian laws by armed people. Quite the opposite, these protests received support and were even encouraged," Lavrov said.
He said Moscow cannot order soldiers in Crimea back to base because they are "self-defense" forces and are not regular Russian troops.
"We are not giving them any orders. They don't receive any orders from us. With regard to the servicemen of Russia's Black Sea Fleet, they are staying at the sites of permanent deployment. Yes, there were additional special measures of elevated alert for ensuring the security of the Black Sea Fleet," Lavrov said.
Lavrov also said it is up to the Ukrainian and Crimean authorities to decide whether to invite international observers into Crimea.
Seeking Peace
Ukraine's interim Foreign Minister Andriy Deshchytsya, meanwhile, said Kyiv wants a peaceful resolution of the crisis.
Deshchytsya, speaking after talks in Paris with his French counterpart, Laurent Fabius, said Ukraine wants "neighborly relations" with Russia.
Fabius, talking to French radio ahead of the Kerry-Lavrov meeting, said Russia risks sanctions if there is no deescalation of the current tensions: "There will be sanctions tomorrow -- targeting visas, existing economic negotiations, or the assets of a certain number of oligarchs -- if there is no de-escalation."
European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso said on Twitter that he will announce on March 5 "a package of support measures for Ukraine."
On the ground in Ukraine, meanwhile, reports say Russian forces have seized part of a Ukrainian missile-defense unit in Crimea. Interfax news agency said two missile-defense battalions were seized.
The AFP news agency quoted a Ukrainian Defense Ministry spokesman as saying the command post and control center of the base in Evpatoria remained in the control of Ukrainian forces, however.
In Donetsk, Ukrainian police are said to be evacuating the Donetsk regional government building, which has been occupied by pro-Russian protesters. Reports said the Ukrainian flag was once again raised over the building in the eastern city.
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