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Foreign Secretary William Hague to visit Ukraine | Foreign Secretary William Hague to visit Ukraine |
(about 1 hour later) | |
UK Foreign Secretary William Hague is due to visit Kiev amid growing tensions after the Russian parliament approved the deployment of troops to Ukraine. | UK Foreign Secretary William Hague is due to visit Kiev amid growing tensions after the Russian parliament approved the deployment of troops to Ukraine. |
Mr Hague said he was "deeply concerned" and would "reiterate support for the territorial integrity of Ukraine". | Mr Hague said he was "deeply concerned" and would "reiterate support for the territorial integrity of Ukraine". |
Mr Hague summoned Russian ambassador Alexander Yakovenko to the Foreign Office (FCO) to hear the UK's reaction. | Mr Hague summoned Russian ambassador Alexander Yakovenko to the Foreign Office (FCO) to hear the UK's reaction. |
Prime Minister David Cameron has said there can be "no excuse" for outside military intervention in Ukraine. | Prime Minister David Cameron has said there can be "no excuse" for outside military intervention in Ukraine. |
'Condemn aggression' | 'Condemn aggression' |
Mr Yakovenko was met by Political Director Simon Gass at the FCO on Saturday evening. | Mr Yakovenko was met by Political Director Simon Gass at the FCO on Saturday evening. |
Mr Gass "expressed deep concern at the Russian Parliament's decision to authorise military action in Ukraine against the wishes of the Ukrainian government", said the FCO in a statement. | Mr Gass "expressed deep concern at the Russian Parliament's decision to authorise military action in Ukraine against the wishes of the Ukrainian government", said the FCO in a statement. |
Earlier on Saturday, Mr Hague said Russia's decision to deploy troops went against the wishes of the Ukrainian government. | Earlier on Saturday, Mr Hague said Russia's decision to deploy troops went against the wishes of the Ukrainian government. |
"This action is a potentially grave threat to the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine. We condemn any act of aggression against Ukraine," the foreign secretary said. | "This action is a potentially grave threat to the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine. We condemn any act of aggression against Ukraine," the foreign secretary said. |
"I spoke to Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov to urge steps to calm this dangerous situation. I told Minister Lavrov that Britain supports the Ukrainian government's request for urgent consultations in accordance with the 1994 Budapest Memorandum signed by the UK, US, Russia and Ukraine." | "I spoke to Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov to urge steps to calm this dangerous situation. I told Minister Lavrov that Britain supports the Ukrainian government's request for urgent consultations in accordance with the 1994 Budapest Memorandum signed by the UK, US, Russia and Ukraine." |
The Budapest Memorandum guaranteed Ukraine's territorial integrity following the break up of the Soviet Union. | The Budapest Memorandum guaranteed Ukraine's territorial integrity following the break up of the Soviet Union. |
Mr Hague said he had also made clear the UK's support for Ukraine's new government when he spoke to the country's acting President Olexander Turchynov. | Mr Hague said he had also made clear the UK's support for Ukraine's new government when he spoke to the country's acting President Olexander Turchynov. |
'Think carefully' | 'Think carefully' |
The UK called an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on Saturday afternoon to address the crisis. | The UK called an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on Saturday afternoon to address the crisis. |
Mr Cameron said: "Britain views the developments in the Ukraine with growing concern. There can be no excuse for outside military intervention in Ukraine - a point I made to President Putin when we spoke. | Mr Cameron said: "Britain views the developments in the Ukraine with growing concern. There can be no excuse for outside military intervention in Ukraine - a point I made to President Putin when we spoke. |
"Everyone must think carefully about their actions and work to lower, not escalate tensions. The world is watching." | "Everyone must think carefully about their actions and work to lower, not escalate tensions. The world is watching." |
The Foreign Office is advising against all travel to Crimea, and urging British nationals in Crimea to leave by all practical means. | |
US President Barack Obama has told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin that Russia has flouted international law by sending troops to Ukraine. | US President Barack Obama has told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin that Russia has flouted international law by sending troops to Ukraine. |
In a 90-minute telephone conversation, Mr Obama urged the Russian leader to pull forces back to bases in Crimea. | In a 90-minute telephone conversation, Mr Obama urged the Russian leader to pull forces back to bases in Crimea. |
Mr Putin responded by saying that Moscow reserved the right to protect its interests and those of Russian speakers in Ukraine, the Kremlin said. | Mr Putin responded by saying that Moscow reserved the right to protect its interests and those of Russian speakers in Ukraine, the Kremlin said. |
Tensions have been high since Ukraine's elected president, Viktor Yanukovych, was ousted in a popular uprising on 22 February. | Tensions have been high since Ukraine's elected president, Viktor Yanukovych, was ousted in a popular uprising on 22 February. |
His removal from power followed four months of street protests that culminated in bloody clashes between demonstrators and security forces. | His removal from power followed four months of street protests that culminated in bloody clashes between demonstrators and security forces. |