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Ukraine crisis: Russia 'to respond if its interests' attacked Ukraine crisis: Russia 'to respond if its interests' attacked
(about 2 hours later)
Russia will respond if its interests in Ukraine are attacked, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said, drawing a parallel with the 2008 Georgian war.Russia will respond if its interests in Ukraine are attacked, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said, drawing a parallel with the 2008 Georgian war.
Speaking to Russian state TV channel RT, Mr Lavrov also accused the US of "running the show" in Ukraine.Speaking to Russian state TV channel RT, Mr Lavrov also accused the US of "running the show" in Ukraine.
It was "quite telling" that Kiev had re-launched its "anti-terrorist" operation during a visit by US Vice-President Joe Biden, he said.It was "quite telling" that Kiev had re-launched its "anti-terrorist" operation during a visit by US Vice-President Joe Biden, he said.
Ukraine's government is struggling with an armed revolt in the country's east.Ukraine's government is struggling with an armed revolt in the country's east.
Kiev and the West say Moscow commands gunmen there - a charge denied by Russia.Kiev and the West say Moscow commands gunmen there - a charge denied by Russia.
In recent weeks, pro-Russian militants have seized administrative buildings in at least a dozen towns in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.In recent weeks, pro-Russian militants have seized administrative buildings in at least a dozen towns in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
They have occupied public buildings and installed their own officials, in similar tactics to those used to take over the Ukrainian region of Crimea earlier in the year. They have installed their own officials, in similar tactics to those used to take over the Ukrainian region of Crimea earlier this year.
The US has called on Moscow to ask pro-Russian gunmen to lay down their weapons and leave public buildings. It has also urged Russia to tone down its aggressive rhetoric or face further sanctions.The US has called on Moscow to ask pro-Russian gunmen to lay down their weapons and leave public buildings. It has also urged Russia to tone down its aggressive rhetoric or face further sanctions.
'Like in Georgia''Like in Georgia'
"If we are attacked, we would certainly respond," Mr Lavrov said. "If our interests, our legitimate interests, the interests of Russians have been attacked directly, like they were in South Ossetia for example, I do not see any other way but to respond in full accordance with international law," Mr Lavrov said.
"If our interests, our legitimate interests, the interests of Russians have been attacked directly, like they were in South Ossetia for example, I do not see any other way but to respond in full accordance with international law."
The Russian foreign minister did not specify what interests he was referring to. Thousands of Russian troops have massed along Ukraine's borders in recent weeks.
Russian fought a brief war with Georgia in the summer of 2008 after Tbilisi sent troops into the breakaway region of South Ossetia to regain control from the Russian-backed rebels.Russian fought a brief war with Georgia in the summer of 2008 after Tbilisi sent troops into the breakaway region of South Ossetia to regain control from the Russian-backed rebels.
Thousands of Russian troops have massed along Ukraine's borders in recent weeks.
Mr Lavrov added: "There is no reason not to believe that the Americans are running the show."Mr Lavrov added: "There is no reason not to believe that the Americans are running the show."
Mr Lavrov also reiterated accusations that Kiev had failed to fulfil commitments laid out in the 17 April Geneva accord. He also reiterated accusations that Kiev had failed to fulfil commitments laid out in the 17 April Geneva accord designed to end the crisis.
The deal stipulated an immediate end to violence in eastern Ukraine and called on illegal armed groups to surrender their weapons and leave official buildings.
The Russian minister's accusations mirror the charges laid by the West against Moscow.
The EU and US accuse Russia of controlling the gunmen, and of failing to honour the Geneva accord.The EU and US accuse Russia of controlling the gunmen, and of failing to honour the Geneva accord.
Mr Biden met Ukraine's new leaders in Kiev on Tuesday and called on Russia to "stop talking and start acting" to defuse the Ukraine crisis. 'Torture claims'
The US is to provide an additional $50m (£30m) for political and economic reforms in Ukraine, including $11m to help run the presidential election due on 25 May.
The American military is also boosting its military presence in central Europe and the Baltic states.
Some 150 American troops are due to arrive in Poland later, the first part of a 600-strong deployment that the US says is to support its Nato allies in the region.
Torture claims
Meanwhile, the standoff in towns across Donetsk region appears to be intensifying.Meanwhile, the standoff in towns across Donetsk region appears to be intensifying.
A pro-Kiev local councillor was found dead on Tuesday near the flashpoint city of Sloviansk.A pro-Kiev local councillor was found dead on Tuesday near the flashpoint city of Sloviansk.
Ukrainian officials said Volodymyr Rybak's body suggested he had suffered "brutal torture".Ukrainian officials said Volodymyr Rybak's body suggested he had suffered "brutal torture".
And pro-Russian militants in Sloviansk are reportedly holding American journalist Simon Ostrovsky, who works for Vice News. And the US state department has said it is "deeply concerned" at reports that pro-Russian militants in Sloviansk are holding American journalist Simon Ostrovsky, who works for Vice News.
The US state department said on Wednesday it was "deeply concerned" and called on "Russia to use its influence with these groups to secure the immediate and safe release of all hostages in eastern Ukraine". Unrest began in Ukraine last November over whether the country should look towards Moscow or the West.
Ukraine has been in turmoil since last November, when Kiev was gripped by protests over whether the country should lean more towards Russia or Europe.
Are you in eastern Ukraine? How has the unrest affected you? You can email us your experiences at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk, using the subject line 'Ukraine'.Are you in eastern Ukraine? How has the unrest affected you? You can email us your experiences at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk, using the subject line 'Ukraine'.