Monday 14 April 2014

Russia 'waging bloody war' against Ukraine: UK to call for response from EU countries

THE UK is looking to EU countries to form a “firm and united” reaction to Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
russia, ukraine, war, civil, putin, UK, UN, united nations, security council, european union, Oleksander Turchinov, britain, militia,SHOCKING: Russia will be found responsible if they don't condemn the rebels' actions [AP]
A deadline for pro-Russian forces to leave occupied government buildings in eastern Ukraine has passed – they show little sign of complying.
This comes as acting Ukrainian president Oleksander Turchinov said Russia is “waging a bloody war” against his country.
Russia has denied it is behind the co-ordinated operation by gangs wearing uniforms without insignia but Britain said Russia would be assumed to be complicit unless it condemned the actions.
Turchinov vowed to launch a “full-scale anti-terrorist operation” against the pro-Russian militia.
CIVIL WAR: Pro-Russian rebels guard a roadCIVIL WAR: Pro-Russian rebels guard a road [EPA]
INVASION: Armed pro-Russian supporters carry an Eastern Orthodox icon of Mary Magdalene outside the secret service building in the eastern Ukrainian city of LuganskINVASION: Armed pro-Russian supporters carry an Eastern Orthodox icon of Mary Magdalene outside the secret service building in the eastern Ukrainian city of Lugansk [AFP/GETTY]
FEAR: Anti-fascism signs outside a seized buildingFEAR: Anti-fascism signs outside a seized building [EPA]
There are fears the situation is escalating in the region and could lead to full-scale civil war.
A state security officer was killed and five others wounded in a gun battle with camouflaged rebels in Sloviansk when a police station was seized.
Foreign Secretary William Hague will meet fellow European leaders for talks in Luxembourg today and he said it was "vital" that the EU signalled Russia had a responsibility to stop "undermining" Ukraine.
Downing Street said David Cameron interrupted his Easter holiday in Lanzarote to discuss the "deteriorating situation in Ukraine" with Mr Hague.
The UK will "press for a firm and united response" at the meeting of EU foreign ministers, the Prime Minister said.
The EU has warned that Russia faces further economic sanctions if it destabilises the situation in neighbouring Ukraine.
TANK: Ukrainian soldiers with military vehicle patrol a road between Lugansk and SlavianskTANK: Ukrainian soldiers with military vehicle patrol a road between Lugansk and Slaviansk [EPA]
WAR: Pro-Russian activists pray near a barricade outside the regional police building seized by armed separatistsWAR: Pro-Russian activists pray near a barricade outside the regional police building seized by armed separatists [AFP/GETTY]
At an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council last night, the UK's ambassador, Sir Mark Lyall Grant, warned of a "dangerous escalation of an already dangerous situation".
Satellite images show between 35,000 and 40,000 Russian troops in the vicinity of the border with Ukraine, along with combat aircraft, tanks and artillery, in addition to the 25,000 Russian troops already illegally in Crimea.
While the Kremlin denied it was behind the attacks in eastern Ukraine, Sir Mark said the events "point clearly to Russia once again interfering directly in the internal affairs of Ukraine using manufactured pretexts and military force".
He also called recent events in eastern cities "a well-orchestrated campaign designed to destabilise the country".
Urging Russia to back down and air its grievances through dialogue, Sir Mark said: "Russia's aggressive stance is a clear threat to the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
GUN: A pro-Russian armed man stands guard at a barricade in front of pro-Russian protesters near the police headquartersGUN: A pro-Russian armed man stands guard at a barricade in front of pro-Russian protesters near the police headquarters [REUTERS]
SCARY: Pro-Russian activists escort a man who they say is a provocateur outside the secret service buildingSCARY: Pro-Russian activists escort a man who they say is a provocateur outside the secret service building [AFP/GETTY]
"The United Kingdom calls on Russia to immediately redeploy its troops away from the border, to cease all activity designed to heighten tensions and sow discord, and to revoke the mandate given by the Federation Council on 1 March to use military force on Ukrainian soil."
There has been recent unrest in the east of the country, including Donetsk, where ethnic Russians fear they will suffer at the hands of the West-facing Ukrainian government.
Ukraine's interim president, Oleksandr Turchynov, has announced he is sending in the army to resist attacks, stop Russian forces moving in and prevent a repeat of the situation in Crimea, which was annexed by Moscow following a hastily-arranged referendum.
Russian ambassador Vitaly Churkin denied Moscow was to blame for the violence, instead accusing Ukraine of using radical neo-Nazi forces to destabilise its eastern region.
But US ambassador Samantha Power accused Russian of "spreading fiction", saying: "These are not protests, these are professional military operations."

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