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| Ukraine crisis: Obama urges Putin to rein in separatists | Ukraine crisis: Obama urges Putin to rein in separatists |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| US President Barack Obama has urged his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to use his influence to make separatists in eastern Ukraine stand down. | US President Barack Obama has urged his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to use his influence to make separatists in eastern Ukraine stand down. |
| The phone call between the two leaders came as pro-Russian activists continued to occupy buildings in eastern towns. | The phone call between the two leaders came as pro-Russian activists continued to occupy buildings in eastern towns. |
| For his part, Mr Putin rejected accusations of Russian interference, calling the reports "unreliable". | For his part, Mr Putin rejected accusations of Russian interference, calling the reports "unreliable". |
| EU foreign ministers said on Monday they would expand a list of names targeted by sanctions. | EU foreign ministers said on Monday they would expand a list of names targeted by sanctions. |
| Tension has been steadily rising since Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula, formerly part of Ukraine, last month. | Tension has been steadily rising since Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula, formerly part of Ukraine, last month. |
| The move, condemned as illegal by Kiev and the West, followed the ousting of Ukraine's pro-Moscow President Viktor Yanukovych in February. | The move, condemned as illegal by Kiev and the West, followed the ousting of Ukraine's pro-Moscow President Viktor Yanukovych in February. |
| In other developments | |
| 'Grave concern' | 'Grave concern' |
| The White House said the "frank and direct" conversation between the two presidents was made at Russia's request. | The White House said the "frank and direct" conversation between the two presidents was made at Russia's request. |
| "The president expressed grave concern about Russian government support for the actions of armed, pro-Russian separatists who threaten to undermine and destabilise the government of Ukraine," a statement said. | "The president expressed grave concern about Russian government support for the actions of armed, pro-Russian separatists who threaten to undermine and destabilise the government of Ukraine," a statement said. |
| "The president emphasised that all irregular forces in the country need to lay down their arms, and he urged President Putin to use his influence with these armed, pro-Russian groups to convince them to depart the buildings they have seized." | "The president emphasised that all irregular forces in the country need to lay down their arms, and he urged President Putin to use his influence with these armed, pro-Russian groups to convince them to depart the buildings they have seized." |
| The statement also threatened Moscow with wider sanctions, saying "the costs Russia already has incurred will increase if those actions persist". | The statement also threatened Moscow with wider sanctions, saying "the costs Russia already has incurred will increase if those actions persist". |
| The Kremlin said recent unrest in Ukraine's south-east was "the result of the unwillingness and inability of the leadership in Kiev to take into account the interests of Russia and the Russian-speaking population". | The Kremlin said recent unrest in Ukraine's south-east was "the result of the unwillingness and inability of the leadership in Kiev to take into account the interests of Russia and the Russian-speaking population". |
| It said Mr Putin had urged Mr Obama to "use the resources at the disposal of the American side" to help prevent any bloodshed. | It said Mr Putin had urged Mr Obama to "use the resources at the disposal of the American side" to help prevent any bloodshed. |
| It dismissed claims that Russia was interfering in Ukraine, saying the accusations were based on "questionable information". | It dismissed claims that Russia was interfering in Ukraine, saying the accusations were based on "questionable information". |
| Thousands of Russian troops are reported to be deployed along the border between Ukraine and Russia. Kiev fears any crackdown on pro-Russian groups could trigger an invasion. | Thousands of Russian troops are reported to be deployed along the border between Ukraine and Russia. Kiev fears any crackdown on pro-Russian groups could trigger an invasion. |
| Ukraine's acting President Olexander Turchynov said on Monday an "anti-terrorist operation" would be launched against gunmen occupying government buildings, but a deadline passed with no large-scale action from Kiev. | |
| Rebels appeal to Putin | Rebels appeal to Putin |
| Pro-Russian rebels have seized buildings in about 10 towns and cities across eastern provinces that form the heartland of Ukraine's heavy industry. | Pro-Russian rebels have seized buildings in about 10 towns and cities across eastern provinces that form the heartland of Ukraine's heavy industry. |
| The groups are demanding referendums on either greater autonomy or an option to join the Russian Federation. | The groups are demanding referendums on either greater autonomy or an option to join the Russian Federation. |
| Mr Turchynov suggested Kiev would be open to moving from a republic into a federation and giving broader rights to Ukraine's Russian-speakers. | Mr Turchynov suggested Kiev would be open to moving from a republic into a federation and giving broader rights to Ukraine's Russian-speakers. |
| But he appeared to suggest a national vote as opposed to regional ones. | But he appeared to suggest a national vote as opposed to regional ones. |
| In Sloviansk, where armed men seized a police station and other government buildings on 12 April, rebels called for President Putin's help. | |
| The Kremlin said the Russian president was listening. | The Kremlin said the Russian president was listening. |
| Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: "Unfortunately, there are a great many such appeals coming from the eastern Ukrainian regions addressed directly to Putin to intervene in this or that form. | |
| "The president is watching developments in eastern Ukraine with great concern." | "The president is watching developments in eastern Ukraine with great concern." |
| A four-way meeting on the crisis, involving the EU, Russia, the US and Ukraine is due to be held in Geneva on Thursday. | A four-way meeting on the crisis, involving the EU, Russia, the US and Ukraine is due to be held in Geneva on Thursday. |
| Are you in eastern Ukraine? Have you been affected by the unrest? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject line "Ukraine". | |
| Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | |
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