Obama urges Russia to pull back troops

(Vatican Radio) United States President Barack Obama has urged Russia to "move back its troops" on Ukraine's border amid concerns the conflict will escalate after the Russian takeover of the Crimean Peninsula.


Obama’s comments came amid international concern that Russia will invade other areas in Ukraine and neighboring countries.


The president said the estimated 30,000 Russian troops are "massing" along Ukraine's eastern border under what he called "the guise of military exercises."

He told CBS News television those military moves were not what Russia would normally be doing. "It may simply be an effort to intimidate Ukraine, or it may be that have got additional plans," he said.


"And in either case what we right now in order to resolve and deescalate the situation would be for Russia to move back those troops and to begin negotiations directly with the Ukrainian government as well as the international community," Obama added.


INVASION FEARS

He referred to concerns that Moscow plans to invade other regions in Ukraine or neighboring countries after Russia's takeover of the Crimean Peninsula.


His comments came while Ukraine’s ousted president Viktor Yanukovych called on Friday for each of the country’s regions to hold a referendum on its status “within Ukraine”.


Russian troops aren't the only threats faced by Ukraine's interim government. Ultra-nationalist Right Sector activists blocked the parliament building in Kyiv late Thursday and smashed windows.

Right Sector activists demand the resignation of the Interior Minister over the death of their leader Oleksandr Muzychko. He died Monday in a shoot-out with police in western Ukraine.

Police say the man was sought for organized crime, but activists view his death as a contract killing.

Listen to the report by Stefan Bos: