John Kerry Urges Putin To Stop ‘Continuing Provocations’ In Eastern Ukraine

[Purveyor]

By Agence France-Presse
Sunday, March 16, 2014 12:56 EDT

US Secretary of State John Kerry urged Moscow Sunday to pull back Russian forces to their bases in Crimea in return for constitutional reforms in Ukraine to protect minority rights, a US official said.

Kerry's overture, in a phone call with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, came as residents of Crimea were voting on whether to break away from Ukraine and join Russia in the worst East-West crisis since the Cold War.

It appeared to receive a positive echo from Moscow, where the foreign ministry said Lavrov and Kerry agreed to look for ways to defuse the crisis in Ukraine through "the launch as soon as possible of a constitutional reform with the support of the international community."

The senior State Department official said Kerry "made clear that this crisis can only be resolved politically and that as Ukrainians take the necessary political measures going forward, Russia must reciprocate by pulling forces back to base, and addressing the tensions and concerns about military engagement."

Tensions were high with Russian troops guarding the unofficial border between Crimea and the rest of Ukraine, and Cossacks and pro-Russian militias patrolling outside polling stations in Crimea.

more...

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/03/16/john-kerry-urges-putin-to-stop-continuing-provocations-in-eastern-ukraine/

[newthinking]

1. Like this? (Right Sector thugs) "2 Killed, 5 Injured In Shooting In Central Kharkiv"

What we are seeing in Eastern Ukraine is far rightests trying to violently stop the opposition, who are growing. I would love someone to explain how Putin got the "Patriot of Ukraine" alliance to gun down pro-Russia demonstrators. "Patriot of Ukraine: is an alliance of Neo-Nazi groups and Right Sector is part of it.


2 Killed, 5 Injured In Shooting In Central Kharkiv

*A Blue Van pulled up and shot automatic weapons at a group of "Pro-Russian activists" near the square

*Some of the activists regognized the van as one that had also shot at people on March 8th

* The van tried to flee but activists followed on motorcycles

*The Van fled to a "Patriot of Ukraine" office and tried to hide inside.

*"Kharkiv Self-Defence" representatives (Militia) and local police gathered at the office and tried to enter and those inside (30-40 ppl) used guns and "petrol bombs" and killed one man and a passer-by, and injured 5 others including a policeman.

* Right sector took hostages in the process

*Eventually those in the building surrendered (They were surrounded by militia, 200 pro-russian activists who had arrived, and police)



http://un.ua/eng/article/498355.html

2 Killed, 5 Injured In Shooting In Central Kharkiv

Two people were killed and five injured on March 14 night in a shooting near the office of the non-government organ