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-27124453

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Ukraine crisis: Russia 'to respond if its interests' attacked Ukraine crisis: Russia 'to respond if its interests' attacked
(35 minutes 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.
And in a statement, Russia's foreign ministry repeated its call for Ukraine to withdraw military units from the country's east.And in a statement, Russia's foreign ministry repeated its call for Ukraine to withdraw military units from the country's east.
Ukraine's government faces an armed revolt there by pro-Russia separatists.Ukraine's government faces an armed revolt there by pro-Russia separatists.
Kiev and the West say Moscow commands gunmen in eastern Ukraine - something Russia denies.Kiev and the West say Moscow commands gunmen in eastern Ukraine - something Russia denies.
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 installed their own officials, in similar tactics to those used to take over the Ukrainian region of Crimea earlier this 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'
It was "quite telling" that Kiev had re-launched its "anti-terrorist" operation in the region on Tuesday during a visit by US Vice-President Joe Biden, Mr Lavrov told Russia Today. In his interview with Russia Today, Mr Lavrov said it was "quite telling" that Kiev had re-launched its "anti-terrorist" operation in the east on Tuesday during a visit by US Vice-President Joe Biden.
"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," Mr Lavrov said.
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 Georgia 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.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 also reiterated accusations that Kiev had failed to fulfil commitments laid out in the 17 April Geneva accord designed to end the crisis.
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 Russian foreign ministry statement accused Kiev and the West of distorting the agreement, which called for illegal armed groups to be disarmed.
The EU and US accuse Russia of controlling the gunmen, and of failing to honour the Geneva accord. The ministry said the West insisted only on the need for pro-Russian groups to put down their weapons.
'Torture claims'
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.
Ukrainian officials said Volodymyr Rybak's body suggested he had suffered "brutal torture".
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.
Unrest began in Ukraine last November over whether the country should look towards Moscow or the West.Unrest began in Ukraine last November over whether the country should look towards Moscow or the West.
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'.