2014-03-01 11:52:08

Additional Russian troops enter Ukraine


(Vatican Radio)Thousands of additional Russian troops have entered Ukraine, despite warnings from U.S. President Barack Obama there “will be costs for any military intervention.”


Video footage recorded from a car showed several apparently Russian helicopters flying over Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula, which once belonged to Russia.


Ukraine's Defense Ministry said an additional 6,000 troops were believed to be in Crimea.

Russia's Foreign Ministry claimed it had informed the Ukrainian government that armoured units from the Black Sea Fleet base near the city of Sevastopol had entered Crimea.


Moscow claimed the mission was aimed at protecting Black Sea Fleet positions, and later said it acted on the request of Crimea's pro-Russian Prime Minister Sergei Aksyonov.


But in Washington, speaking from the White House, U.S. President Barack Obama expressed deep concern over what Ukraine interim government has called an "armed invasion".


"We are now deeply concerned by reports of military movements taken by the Russian Federation inside of Ukraine," Obama said. "Any violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity would be deeply destabilizing, which is not in the interest of Ukraine, Russia, or Europe," he stressed.

"It would represent a profound interference in matters that must be determined by the Ukrainian people. It would be a clear violation of Russia’s commitment to respect the independence and sovereignty and borders of Ukraine, and of international laws," Obama added.


President Obama warned of a Western response and made clear that the Russian military movements undermine years of public relations and 50 billion dollars spent on the recent Winter Olympic Games, which were aimed at showing a new Russia.


"Just days after the world came to Russia for the Olympic Games, it would invite the condemnation of nations around the world. And indeed, the United States will stand with the international community in affirming that there will be costs for any military intervention in Ukraine," he said.


Amid the geopolitical battle resembling the Cold War, armed forces could still be seen at key sites in Crimea early Saturday.



Armed men in unmarked uniforms, described by Ukraine's government as Russian troops, have occupied several transportation hubs in Crimea including two airports and were seen blocking a road between the cities Simferopol and Sevastopol.


A Russian warship was reported to have blockaded the entrance to the bay at Balaklava, the home of the Ukrainian coast guard.


Armed men earlier occupied or blockaded the regional parliament and other government sites.


The latest military tensions pose a serious challenge for Ukraine's new interim government, which also deals with a nation it says is on the brink of collapse after billions of dollars allegedly disappeared under ousted President Viktor Yanukovich, who is in neighboring Russia.


Yanukovich said Friday he still regards himself as the legitimate leader despite being wanted in Ukraine for allegedly ordering security forces to shoot at unarmed demonstrators during clashes in which more than 80 people died, charges he strongly denies. Listen to this report by Stefan Bos RealAudioMP3









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