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Ukraine crisis: Western leaders consider new Russia sanctions Ukraine crisis: Western leaders consider new Russia sanctions
(35 minutes later)
Western heads of state say they are considering fresh sanctions against Russia over its alleged failure to help de-escalate the crisis in Ukraine.Western heads of state say they are considering fresh sanctions against Russia over its alleged failure to help de-escalate the crisis in Ukraine.
France, Germany, the US, Britain and Italy accused Russia of disrespecting a deal to open dialogue with pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine. France, Germany, the US, Britain and Italy accused Russia of disrespecting a deal to disarm pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine.
Russia earlier accused the West of wanting to "seize" Ukraine.Russia earlier accused the West of wanting to "seize" Ukraine.
Ukraine warned it would consider any crossing into its territory by Russian troops as a "military invasion".Ukraine warned it would consider any crossing into its territory by Russian troops as a "military invasion".
Moscow has tens of thousands of troops stationed along its side of the border with Ukraine and pro-Russian separatists have been occupying key buildings in a dozen eastern towns, defying the central government in Kiev.Moscow has tens of thousands of troops stationed along its side of the border with Ukraine and pro-Russian separatists have been occupying key buildings in a dozen eastern towns, defying the central government in Kiev.
A week ago Ukraine and Russia struck an agreement in Geneva calling for the separatists to leave official premises and give up their arms. A week ago Ukraine and Russia struck an agreement in Geneva calling for the separatists to leave official premises and give up their arms. The pact included an amnesty for those agreeing to retreat peacefully.
'Provocative declarations' 'Concerning rhetoric'
On Friday, the office of French President Francois Hollande said he had discussed the situation in Ukraine with US President Barack Obama, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and the prime ministers of Britain and Italy. On Friday, the White House said US President Barack Obama had discussed the situation in Ukraine with French President Francois Hollande, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and the prime ministers of Britain and Italy.
"The heads of state and government have called for a rapid reaction from the G7 and discussed the adoption of fresh sanctions against Russia by the international community," a statement from the Elysee Palace said. "The leaders agreed to work closely together, and through the G7 and European Union, to coordinate additional steps to impose costs on Russia," the White House said.
"Russia, in conformity with the undertakings pledged in Geneva, should contribute to the de-escalation, in abstaining from provocative declarations and intimidating manoeuvres. The territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine should be fully respected." "The leaders also agreed that Russia had not reciprocated - including by not publicly supporting the Geneva accord, nor calling on armed militant groups to lay down their arms and leave the government buildings they've occupied - and had in fact continued to escalate the situation through its increasingly concerning rhetoric and threatening military exercises on Ukraine's border."
The Western leaders also said that presidential elections, due to be held in Ukraine on 25 May, were "essential to permit Ukrainians to decide their future freely and transparently". France added in a statement that presidential elections, due to be held in Ukraine on 25 May, were "essential to permit Ukrainians to decide their future freely and transparently.
Ukraine has launched military raids to regain the buildings occupied by separatists. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov described the raids as a "bloody crime". Chancellor Merkel earlier said she had spoken to Russian President Vladimir Putin to express her dissatisfaction with Russia's lack of commitment to bring about a "peaceful path of discussion" with the separatists in eastern Ukraine.
In response, Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk accused Russia of wanting to "start World War Three" by occupying Ukraine "militarily and politically" and by creating a conflict that would spread to the rest of Europe. "I made clear again that... Ukraine has taken a whole series of steps to implement the Geneva accord but... I see no Russian backing for the accord," she said at a news briefing in Berlin with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
Russia has ordered new military exercises on its border following the Ukrainian military raids, drawing condemnation from Kiev. Also on Friday, Russia's foreign currency ratings were cut by the credit ratings agency Standard & Poor to one notch above "junk" status.
On Friday acting Ukrainian Defence Minister Mikhail Koval said Russian forces ad come within a kilometre of the border. The agency warned that further downgrades were possible if the West imposed tighter sanctions against Moscow.
'World War Three'
Ukraine has launched military raids to regain the buildings occupied by separatists in several eastern towns. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov described the raids as a "bloody crime".
On Friday acting Ukrainian Defence Minister Mikhail Koval said Russian forces had come within a kilometre of the border.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk accused Russia of wanting to "start World War Three" by occupying Ukraine "militarily and politically" and by creating a conflict that would spread to the rest of Europe.
On Thursday raids by Ukrainian commandos on pro-Russian checkpoints around the town of Sloviansk left at least two separatists dead.
There have also been reports from the port city of Odessa indicating that an explosion at a checkpoint injured at least seven people.
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. This 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. This followed a referendum in the region that backed joining the Russian Federation but which the West and Kiev deemed illegal.