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Ukraine raids spark US-Russia war of words Ukraine raids spark US-Russia war of words
(about 1 hour later)
Russia and the US have accused each other of failing to de-escalate the crisis in Ukraine after Kiev launched raids on pro-Moscow separatists.Russia and the US have accused each other of failing to de-escalate the crisis in Ukraine after Kiev launched raids on pro-Moscow separatists.
Russia said the US should make Kiev stop the attacks in the east, saying "nothing has been done to resolve this urgent crisis so far". US Secretary of State John Kerry accused Russia of "distraction and deception" and said Moscow was "stoking instability" in eastern Ukraine.
The US said Moscow had "actively stoked tensions in eastern Ukraine". Earlier, Russia called on the US to make Kiev stop the attacks in the east.
Russia ordered new military exercises on its border following the raids, drawing condemnation from Ukraine.Russia ordered new military exercises on its border following the raids, drawing condemnation from Ukraine.
Pro-Russian separatists are occupying key buildings in a dozen eastern Ukrainian towns, defying the central government.Pro-Russian separatists are occupying key buildings in a dozen eastern Ukrainian towns, defying the central government.
'Additional sanctions''Additional sanctions'
The Russian foreign ministry issued a statement urging the US to "use all its influence with the interim government in Kiev to bring it to reason and convince it to refrain from rash steps that will plunge Ukraine even deeper into the depths of crisis". In a strongly worded statement, Mr Kerry said Russia had not taken "a single concrete step" to de-escalate the crisis in Ukraine.
He said Moscow was not abiding by the terms of a deal struck in Geneva earlier this month to calm the situation.
Mr Kerry also accused Russian media of promoting President Vladimir Putin's "fantasies" about Ukraine.
Earlier, the Russian foreign ministry urged the US to "use all its influence with the interim government in Kiev to bring it to reason and convince it to refrain from rash steps that will plunge Ukraine even deeper into the depths of crisis".
It urged Washington to "understand the full measure of its responsibility for what is going on".It urged Washington to "understand the full measure of its responsibility for what is going on".
Both the US and Russia cited the 17 April Geneva agreement under which illegal armed groups, including those who have seized public buildings, must return home.Both the US and Russia cited the 17 April Geneva agreement under which illegal armed groups, including those who have seized public buildings, must return home.
The Russian foreign ministry said: "We hope the USA will at last take urgent measures in the interests of de-escalating the situation in accordance with the provisions of the Geneva statement."The Russian foreign ministry said: "We hope the USA will at last take urgent measures in the interests of de-escalating the situation in accordance with the provisions of the Geneva statement."
But US state department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Russia had "failed not only to provide public support for the de-escalation of tensions, but has actively stoked tensions in eastern Ukraine by engaging in inflammatory rhetoric".
She said Secretary of State John Kerry had spoken to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov "six times since Geneva, and he has never once taken responsibility for the implementation of Russia's Geneva commitments".
Ms Psaki added: "There will be additional sanctions if Russia does not make good on this priority."
Pentagon spokesman Steve Warren told reporters: "The Russian announcement of additional exercises on the Ukrainian border is exactly opposite of what we have been calling on the Russians to do, which is to de-escalate the situation."
The morning raids by Ukrainian commandos on pro-Russian checkpoints around the town of Sloviansk had left at least two separatists dead.The morning raids by Ukrainian commandos on pro-Russian checkpoints around the town of Sloviansk had left at least two separatists dead.
The raids were brief, with Sloviansk itself reported calm and pro-Russian militants still manning barricades in many areas.The raids were brief, with Sloviansk itself reported calm and pro-Russian militants still manning barricades in many areas.
Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said Moscow had been "forced to react" to the raids by ordering new military exercises.Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said Moscow had been "forced to react" to the raids by ordering new military exercises.
Mr Shoigu was quoted by Interfax news agency as saying: "If this military machine is not stopped, it will lead to greater numbers of dead and wounded."Mr Shoigu was quoted by Interfax news agency as saying: "If this military machine is not stopped, it will lead to greater numbers of dead and wounded."
Moscow has tens of thousands of troops along its side of the border.Moscow has tens of thousands of troops along its side of the border.
Russian television quoted the ambassador to the UN, Vitaly Churkin, as saying that Moscow would have "international-legal grounds" to deploy "peacekeepers" to Ukraine, as it had during the Russia-Georgia conflict of 2008.Russian television quoted the ambassador to the UN, Vitaly Churkin, as saying that Moscow would have "international-legal grounds" to deploy "peacekeepers" to Ukraine, as it had during the Russia-Georgia conflict of 2008.
Ukraine's acting President, Olexander Turchynov, called on Russia to pull back its troops from the border and end what he called its "blackmail", adding that Kiev would not yield to "Russian-backed terrorists".Ukraine's acting President, Olexander Turchynov, called on Russia to pull back its troops from the border and end what he called its "blackmail", adding that Kiev would not yield to "Russian-backed terrorists".
Foreign Minister Andriy Deshchytisa told the Associated Press that Ukrainian forces would fight the Russians if they had to.Foreign Minister Andriy Deshchytisa told the Associated Press that Ukrainian forces would fight the Russians if they had to.
"The Ukrainian people and Ukrainian army are ready to do this. Ukraine will confront Russia. We will defend our land.""The Ukrainian people and Ukrainian army are ready to do this. Ukraine will confront Russia. We will defend our land."
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon earlier said he was "seriously concerned that the situation could quickly spin out of control with consequences we cannot predict".UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon earlier said he was "seriously concerned that the situation could quickly spin out of control with consequences we cannot predict".
In other developments on Thursday:In other developments on Thursday:
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.
Last month Russia annexed Ukraine's mainly ethnic-Russian Crimea. It followed a referendum in the region that backed joining the Russian Federation but which the West and Kiev deemed illegal.Last month Russia annexed Ukraine's mainly ethnic-Russian Crimea. It followed a referendum in the region that backed joining the Russian Federation but which the West and Kiev deemed illegal.
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'.