Ukraine crisis: Western leaders consider new Russia sanctions

Western heads of state say they are considering fresh sanctions against Russia over its alleged failure to help de-escalate the crisis in Ukraine.

France, Germany, the US, Britain and Italy accused Russia of disrespecting a deal to open dialogue with pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine.

Russia earlier accused the West of wanting to "seize" Ukraine.

Ukraine warned it would consider any crossing into its territory by Russian troops as a "military invasion".

Moscow has tens of thousands of troops stationed along its side of the border with Ukraine and pro-Russian separatists have been occupying key buildings in a dozen eastern towns, defying the central government in Kiev.

A week ago Ukraine and Russia struck an agreement in Geneva calling for the separatists to leave official premises and give up their arms.

'Provocative declarations'

On Friday, the office of French President Francois Hollande said he had discussed the situation in Ukraine with US President Barack Obama, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and the prime ministers of Britain and Italy.

"The heads of state and government have called for a rapid reaction from the G7 and discussed the adoption of fresh sanctions against Russia by the international community," a statement from the Elysee Palace said.

"Russia, in conformity with the undertakings pledged in Geneva, should contribute to the de-escalation, in abstaining from provocative declarations and intimidating manoeuvres. The territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine should be fully respected."

The Western leaders also said that presidential elections, due to be held in Ukraine on 25 May, were "essential to permit Ukrainians to decide their future freely and transparently".

Ukraine has launched military raids to regain the buildings occupied by separatists. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov described the raids as a "bloody crime".

In response, Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk accused Russia of wanting to "start World War Three" by occupying Ukraine "militarily and politically" and by creating a conflict that would spread to the rest of Europe.

Russia has ordered new military exercises on its border following the Ukrainian military raids, drawing condemnation from Kiev.

On Friday acting Ukrainian Defence Minister Mikhail Koval said Russian forces ad come within a kilometre of the border.

Unrest began in Ukraine last November over whether the country should look towards Moscow or the West.

Last month, Russia annexed Ukraine's mainly ethnic-Russian Crimea. This followed a referendum in the region that backed joining the Russian Federation but which the West and Kiev deemed illegal.


Credit: The BBC