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Putin cautious on 'right' to send troops into Ukraine Putin cautious on 'right' to send troops into Ukraine
(about 1 hour later)
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said he has "a right" to send troops into Ukraine but hopes he will "not have to exercise that right".Russian President Vladimir Putin has said he has "a right" to send troops into Ukraine but hopes he will "not have to exercise that right".
He was speaking live on Russian TV after a clash in Mariupol, eastern Ukraine, in which three pro-Russian protesters were reported killed. He was speaking live on Russian TV after a clash in Mariupol, eastern Ukraine, in which three pro-Russian protesters were reportedly killed.
Mr Putin said he hoped the crisis would be resolved through dialogue.Mr Putin said he hoped the crisis would be resolved through dialogue.
Talks have opened in Geneva between Russia, Ukraine, the EU and US - the first since unrest erupted in Crimea.Talks have opened in Geneva between Russia, Ukraine, the EU and US - the first since unrest erupted in Crimea.
In his annual live television phone-in, Mr Putin warned the Ukrainian authorities of "the abyss they're heading into" and urged dialogue.In his annual live television phone-in, Mr Putin warned the Ukrainian authorities of "the abyss they're heading into" and urged dialogue.
He also admitted for the first time that Russian forces had been active in Crimea, which was annexed by Moscow last month. Previously he insisted that the camouflaged, masked gunmen who took over Crimea were a local "self-defence" force. He also admitted for the first time that Russian forces had been active in Crimea, which was annexed by Moscow last month. Previously he had insisted that the camouflaged, masked gunmen who took over Crimea were a local "self-defence" force.
The West says Russia is aiding the pro-Russian activists now occupying dozens of official buildings in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region.The West says Russia is aiding the pro-Russian activists now occupying dozens of official buildings in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region.
Mr Putin dismissed as "rubbish" allegations that Russian special forces were operating there.Mr Putin dismissed as "rubbish" allegations that Russian special forces were operating there.
Russian-speakers are a majority in Crimea and Donetsk, where ties to Russia are strong. Mr Putin reminded viewers that Tsarist Russia used to call eastern Ukraine "New Russia".Russian-speakers are a majority in Crimea and Donetsk, where ties to Russia are strong. Mr Putin reminded viewers that Tsarist Russia used to call eastern Ukraine "New Russia".
"The Federation Council [upper house of parliament] granted the president the right to use military force in Ukraine. I really hope that I do not have to exercise that right and that we are able to solve all today's pressing issues via political and diplomatic means," Mr Putin said."The Federation Council [upper house of parliament] granted the president the right to use military force in Ukraine. I really hope that I do not have to exercise that right and that we are able to solve all today's pressing issues via political and diplomatic means," Mr Putin said.
He said the Kiev government, which had "seized power", had only spoken to its own appointees in the region, but "not to the people whom locals trust".He said the Kiev government, which had "seized power", had only spoken to its own appointees in the region, but "not to the people whom locals trust".
Meanwhile, Ukraine's State Border Service has been quoted by the Interfax-Ukraine news agency as saying that it is "significantly" restricting entry into the country by adult men from Russia because of the risk of "acts of terror".
Fighting in MariupolFighting in Mariupol
Overnight about 300 pro-Russian separatists attacked a military unit in Mariupol near the Azov Sea, throwing petrol bombs. Troops opened fire, killing three, Ukraine's Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said on Facebook. Overnight about 300 pro-Russian separatists attacked a military unit in Mariupol near the Azov Sea, throwing petrol bombs. Troops had opened fire, killing three, Ukraine's Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said in a post on his Facebook page.
The operation is continuing - Ukraine has sent in reinforcements including helicopters. There was no independent confirmation of his statement. Ukraine has now sent in reinforcements including helicopters. There was no independent confirmation of Mr Avakov's statement.
According to Mr Avakov, 13 of the attackers were wounded and so far 63 have been detained. He said none of the interior ministry troops had been killed. According to Mr Avakov, 13 of the attackers were wounded and 63 were detained. He said none of the interior ministry troops had been killed.
It is the heaviest casualty toll in any single incident so far in eastern Ukraine.It is the heaviest casualty toll in any single incident so far in eastern Ukraine.
Retreating separatists reportedly wounded two passers-by, set a minibus ablaze and also set fire to a building next to the military garrison.Retreating separatists reportedly wounded two passers-by, set a minibus ablaze and also set fire to a building next to the military garrison.
"Through joint efforts by the armed police and national guard the attacking gang was dispersed after a short battle, most of them were cornered and disarmed," Mr Avakov said."Through joint efforts by the armed police and national guard the attacking gang was dispersed after a short battle, most of them were cornered and disarmed," Mr Avakov said.
According to Russia's state-run Vesti TV news, unarmed local protesters tried to talk to the Ukrainian troops but were met with gunfire.According to Russia's state-run Vesti TV news, unarmed local protesters tried to talk to the Ukrainian troops but were met with gunfire.
Tensions escalated last month when Russia annexed Crimea, causing international outrage. Unrest later spread to Donetsk region, triggering Europe's worst crisis since the Cold War.Tensions escalated last month when Russia annexed Crimea, causing international outrage. Unrest later spread to Donetsk region, triggering Europe's worst crisis since the Cold War.
Gas worriesGas worries
The EU - heavily reliant on imports of Russian gas - has warned Mr Putin not to disrupt the gas flow to Ukraine. Pipelines transiting Ukraine supply gas to many EU member states.The EU - heavily reliant on imports of Russian gas - has warned Mr Putin not to disrupt the gas flow to Ukraine. Pipelines transiting Ukraine supply gas to many EU member states.
"We would strongly urge you to refrain from such measures, which would create doubts about your willingness to be seen as a reliable supplier of gas to Europe," EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso told him in a letter. He called for EU-Russia-Ukraine talks on Russia's contractual dispute with Ukraine. "We would strongly urge you to refrain from such measures, which would create doubts about your willingness to be seen as a reliable supplier of gas to Europe," EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso told Mr Putin in a letter. He called for EU-Russia-Ukraine talks on Russia's contractual dispute with Ukraine.
Mr Putin took questions from residents of Sevastopol, base of the Russian fleet in Crimea, the first place to feature in his annual live phone-in. It is the first time Crimea has been included. Mr Putin took questions from residents of Sevastopol, base of the Russian fleet in Crimea, the first place to feature in his annual live phone-in.
He insisted that Russian speakers in Ukraine "must be equal citizens... it's a question of guarantees for those people".He insisted that Russian speakers in Ukraine "must be equal citizens... it's a question of guarantees for those people".
He also admitted for the first time that Russian troops had been "behind the backs of self-defence forces in Crimea" to ensure that last month's referendum there could be held and that weapons stores were not seized by Ukrainian forces.
The annexation of Crimea has fuelled concern that other parts of eastern Ukraine could also break away from Kiev's control and join Russia.The annexation of Crimea has fuelled concern that other parts of eastern Ukraine could also break away from Kiev's control and join Russia.
Russia had acted in Crimea partly out of concern that Ukraine could be "dragged into" Nato as the alliance expanded eastward, Mr Putin said.Russia had acted in Crimea partly out of concern that Ukraine could be "dragged into" Nato as the alliance expanded eastward, Mr Putin said.
US accuses RussiaUS accuses Russia
Earlier, US President Barack Obama warned Russia against support for further action by armed pro-Russian groups.Earlier, US President Barack Obama warned Russia against support for further action by armed pro-Russian groups.
"What I have said consistently is that each time Russia takes these kinds of steps that are designed to destabilise Ukraine and violate their sovereignty, that there are going to be consequences," he said."What I have said consistently is that each time Russia takes these kinds of steps that are designed to destabilise Ukraine and violate their sovereignty, that there are going to be consequences," he said.
Reports say that the White House is considering a package of non-lethal aid for the Ukrainian military. This may include clothing and medical supplies.Reports say that the White House is considering a package of non-lethal aid for the Ukrainian military. This may include clothing and medical supplies.
Meanwhile, Ukraine's military operation against separatists has hit obstacles.Meanwhile, Ukraine's military operation against separatists has hit obstacles.
Called an "anti-terrorist" operation by the Kiev government, it started on Tuesday and is designed to dislodge pro-Russian gunmen from local authority buildings.Called an "anti-terrorist" operation by the Kiev government, it started on Tuesday and is designed to dislodge pro-Russian gunmen from local authority buildings.
In several districts, Ukrainian troops met vehement opposition on Wednesday from pro-Russian militants.In several districts, Ukrainian troops met vehement opposition on Wednesday from pro-Russian militants.
In the city of Kramatorsk, six military vehicles were commandeered by gunmen, who disarmed the Ukrainian soldiers and sent some of them home on buses.In the city of Kramatorsk, six military vehicles were commandeered by gunmen, who disarmed the Ukrainian soldiers and sent some of them home on buses.
And just south of Sloviansk, a column of 14 Ukrainian military vehicles was surrounded by local civilians and pro-Russian gunmen, who made the Ukrainian troops unload their magazines and drive off.And just south of Sloviansk, a column of 14 Ukrainian military vehicles was surrounded by local civilians and pro-Russian gunmen, who made the Ukrainian troops unload their magazines and drive off.
The foreign ministers of the US, EU, Ukraine and Russia have started talks in Geneva. The talks in Geneva have brought together foreign ministers of the US, EU, Ukraine and Russia.
The US and the EU want an end to the occupations in eastern Ukraine and for the estimated 40,000-strong Russian forces massed near the Ukrainian border to pull back.The US and the EU want an end to the occupations in eastern Ukraine and for the estimated 40,000-strong Russian forces massed near the Ukrainian border to pull back.
A US official stressed that Russia must "take this opportunity to de-escalate" or face a tightening of sanctions.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Andriy Deshchytsya, called on Russia "not to support terrorist activities in eastern Ukraine."Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Andriy Deshchytsya, called on Russia "not to support terrorist activities in eastern Ukraine."
Russia, which strongly opposed the ousting of Ukraine's pro-Moscow President Viktor Yanukovych in February, has proposed a new constitution which devolves more power to the regions.Russia, which strongly opposed the ousting of Ukraine's pro-Moscow President Viktor Yanukovych in February, has proposed a new constitution which devolves more power to the regions.
Expectations for the talks are low, says the BBC's Gavin Hewitt in Geneva.Expectations for the talks are low, says the BBC's Gavin Hewitt in Geneva.
Are you in eastern Ukraine? What is the situation like where you are? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject line 'Eastern Ukraine'.Are you in eastern Ukraine? What is the situation like where you are? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject line 'Eastern Ukraine'.