This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26641217
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Ukraine crisis: Russia warns West over Crimea sanctions | Ukraine crisis: Russia warns West over Crimea sanctions |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Russia has told the US that Western sanctions over the Crimea dispute are unacceptable, and has threatened "consequences". | Russia has told the US that Western sanctions over the Crimea dispute are unacceptable, and has threatened "consequences". |
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov issued the warning in a telephone call to US Secretary of State John Kerry. | Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov issued the warning in a telephone call to US Secretary of State John Kerry. |
It came hours after Russian and Crimean leaders signed a treaty absorbing the peninsula into the Russian Federation. | It came hours after Russian and Crimean leaders signed a treaty absorbing the peninsula into the Russian Federation. |
Crimean voters chose to secede from Ukraine in a disputed referendum on Sunday. | Crimean voters chose to secede from Ukraine in a disputed referendum on Sunday. |
On Monday, the US and the EU imposed sanctions on several officials from Russia and Ukraine accused of involvement in Moscow's actions in the Black Sea peninsula. | On Monday, the US and the EU imposed sanctions on several officials from Russia and Ukraine accused of involvement in Moscow's actions in the Black Sea peninsula. |
After the signing of the treaty on Tuesday, the White House said those sanctions would be expanded. | After the signing of the treaty on Tuesday, the White House said those sanctions would be expanded. |
US Vice-President Joe Biden accused Russia of a "land grab". | US Vice-President Joe Biden accused Russia of a "land grab". |
After Mr Lavrov spoke to Mr Kerry, the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement: "(Crimea) republic residents made their democratic choice in line with the international law and the UN charter, which Russia accepts and respects. | After Mr Lavrov spoke to Mr Kerry, the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement: "(Crimea) republic residents made their democratic choice in line with the international law and the UN charter, which Russia accepts and respects. |
"The sanctions introduced by the United States and the European Union are unacceptable and will not remain without consequences." | "The sanctions introduced by the United States and the European Union are unacceptable and will not remain without consequences." |
It did not spell out what those consequences might be. | It did not spell out what those consequences might be. |
Mr Kerry later warned that any incursion by Russia into eastern Ukraine would be "as egregious as any step I can think of". | Mr Kerry later warned that any incursion by Russia into eastern Ukraine would be "as egregious as any step I can think of". |
"I hope we don't get there," he added. | "I hope we don't get there," he added. |
On Tuesday, Russia's President Vladimir Putin said Western sanctions would be viewed as an act of aggression, and that Moscow would retaliate. | On Tuesday, Russia's President Vladimir Putin said Western sanctions would be viewed as an act of aggression, and that Moscow would retaliate. |
'Military phase' | |
As tension increased, Ukraine's military said on Tuesday that an officer had been killed in an attack on a base in the Crimean capital Simferopol. | As tension increased, Ukraine's military said on Tuesday that an officer had been killed in an attack on a base in the Crimean capital Simferopol. |
At the same time, pro-Kremlin authorities reported that a member of their own forces had also been killed in the incident. | At the same time, pro-Kremlin authorities reported that a member of their own forces had also been killed in the incident. |
The government in Kiev said it had authorised its troops to fire in self-defence. | The government in Kiev said it had authorised its troops to fire in self-defence. |
Interim Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk told an emergency meeting: "The conflict is shifting from a political to a military stage. | Interim Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk told an emergency meeting: "The conflict is shifting from a political to a military stage. |
"Russian soldiers have started shooting at Ukrainian military servicemen and that is a war crime." | "Russian soldiers have started shooting at Ukrainian military servicemen and that is a war crime." |
The BBC's Mark Lowen in Simferopol says there are fears that further clashes could follow. | The BBC's Mark Lowen in Simferopol says there are fears that further clashes could follow. |
In his speech at the Kremlin on Tuesday, Mr Putin told Russia's parliament that Crimea had "always been part of Russia" and in signing the treaty he was righting a "historical injustice". | In his speech at the Kremlin on Tuesday, Mr Putin told Russia's parliament that Crimea had "always been part of Russia" and in signing the treaty he was righting a "historical injustice". |
He later appeared before crowds in Moscow's Red Square, telling them: "Crimea and Sevastopol are returning to... their home shores, to their home port, to Russia!" | He later appeared before crowds in Moscow's Red Square, telling them: "Crimea and Sevastopol are returning to... their home shores, to their home port, to Russia!" |
Ukraine's interim President Olexander Turchynov said Russia's actions were reminiscent of Nazi Germany's takeover of Austria and the Sudetenland. | Ukraine's interim President Olexander Turchynov said Russia's actions were reminiscent of Nazi Germany's takeover of Austria and the Sudetenland. |
The Ukrainian crisis began last November after pro-Russia President Viktor Yanukovych ditched an EU deal in favour of stronger ties with Moscow. | The Ukrainian crisis began last November after pro-Russia President Viktor Yanukovych ditched an EU deal in favour of stronger ties with Moscow. |
He fled Ukraine on 22 February after protests in which more than 80 people were killed. | He fled Ukraine on 22 February after protests in which more than 80 people were killed. |
Pro-Russia armed men then took effective control of Crimea which has been part of Ukraine since 1954 but has a predominantly ethnic Russian population. | Pro-Russia armed men then took effective control of Crimea which has been part of Ukraine since 1954 but has a predominantly ethnic Russian population. |
The Crimean port city of Sevastopol is home to the Russian Black Sea fleet. | The Crimean port city of Sevastopol is home to the Russian Black Sea fleet. |