Ukraine crisis 'threatens peace in Europe', says Russia
Moscow warns that escalating unrest threatens European peace as 'several' deaths reported on fringes of rebel-held town of Slavyansk in eastern Ukraine
A Ukrainian army checkpoint at Kharkov-Rostov highway section between Slavyansk and Kramatorsk Photo: Pochuyev Mikhail/ Corbis
11:22AM BST 05 May 2014
The crisis in Ukraine threatens peace across Europe, Russia warned on Monday
as several deaths were reported in the country's east where Kiev forces are
attempting to seize back control of the town of Slavyansk.
In a report put out by Russia's foreign ministry, the Kremlin called upon the
international community to bring an end to the Ukrainian
conflict, blaming the violence on "ultranationalist, extremist and
neo-Nazi" forces.
"The alternative is fraught with such destructive consequences for
Europe's peace, stability and democratic development that it is absolutely
necessary to prevent it," said the report.
The warning came as several deaths were reported on the fringes of Slavyansk,
the town in Ukraine's east which has been the epicentre of recent unrest.
"There have been deaths," said Arsen Avakov, Ukraine's interior
minister, speaking to reporters at a checkpoint held by troops six four
miles from the gun battle, which had gone on for nearly two hours.
He did not immediately say which side suffered the losses.
After two false starts, the Ukrainian army has begun an offensive designed to restore Kiev’s control over Donetsk, where pro-Russia militias have seized government buildings in several cities.
Pro-Russian militants stand guard in front of a seized district state
building in the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk (Alexander Khudoteply/
Getty)
Pro-Russia insurgents have achieved complete control over the town of Slavyansk, located near large arms dumps dating from the Soviet era that contain as many as 2.5 million Kalashnikov assault rifles.
However, on Sunday the Ukrainian authorities said they had Slavyansk "surrounded".
At least two separatist armoured personnel carriers and several rebels were reported to have fled heavy fighting on the eastern outskirts of Slavyansk early on Monday.
Reuters reported that heavy gunfire could be heard "almost continuously" and "seemed closer to the centre of Slavyansk than a day earlier". Four ambulances were seen near the area, the agency said.
Russia's most recent warning, as well as the escalation in conflict around Slavyansk, will heighten international concerns over a potential Russian response to Kiev's intervention.
Russia is believed to have massed between 35,000 and 40,000 troops on Ukraine’s eastern frontier, stockpiling enough fuel, ammunition and medical supplies – including a chain of field hospitals – for this army to be able to mount an invasion within 12 hours of receiving the order.
However, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Saturday that Russia had not yet decided how to respond to the Ukrainian government's most recent military campaign.
“This element is absolutely new to us,” said Mr Peskov, according to the Interfax news agency. “Kiev and its Western sponsors are practically provoking the bloodshed and bear direct responsibility for it.”
Also on Monday, it was announced that Ukraine premier Arseniy Yatsenyuk and his government will hold talks in Brussels on May 13 with the 28-member European Commission.
"The European Commission is determined to help Ukraine, and to make sure that Ukraine has all the support it needs, in the short and long- term," the Commission said in a statement.
After two false starts, the Ukrainian army has begun an offensive designed to restore Kiev’s control over Donetsk, where pro-Russia militias have seized government buildings in several cities.
Pro-Russian militants stand guard in front of a seized district state
building in the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk (Alexander Khudoteply/
Getty)
Pro-Russia insurgents have achieved complete control over the town of Slavyansk, located near large arms dumps dating from the Soviet era that contain as many as 2.5 million Kalashnikov assault rifles.
However, on Sunday the Ukrainian authorities said they had Slavyansk "surrounded".
At least two separatist armoured personnel carriers and several rebels were reported to have fled heavy fighting on the eastern outskirts of Slavyansk early on Monday.
Reuters reported that heavy gunfire could be heard "almost continuously" and "seemed closer to the centre of Slavyansk than a day earlier". Four ambulances were seen near the area, the agency said.
Russia's most recent warning, as well as the escalation in conflict around Slavyansk, will heighten international concerns over a potential Russian response to Kiev's intervention.
Russia is believed to have massed between 35,000 and 40,000 troops on Ukraine’s eastern frontier, stockpiling enough fuel, ammunition and medical supplies – including a chain of field hospitals – for this army to be able to mount an invasion within 12 hours of receiving the order.
However, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Saturday that Russia had not yet decided how to respond to the Ukrainian government's most recent military campaign.
“This element is absolutely new to us,” said Mr Peskov, according to the Interfax news agency. “Kiev and its Western sponsors are practically provoking the bloodshed and bear direct responsibility for it.”
Also on Monday, it was announced that Ukraine premier Arseniy Yatsenyuk and his government will hold talks in Brussels on May 13 with the 28-member European Commission.
"The European Commission is determined to help Ukraine, and to make sure that Ukraine has all the support it needs, in the short and long- term," the Commission said in a statement.
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