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Ukraine crisis: Pentagon says Russian jets violated airspace Ukraine crisis: Pentagon says Russian jets violated airspace
(about 3 hours later)
The US says Russian military aircraft have entered Ukrainian airspace several times in the past 24 hours, amid rising tension in the east of the country. The US says Russian military aircraft have entered Ukrainian airspace on several occasions, amid rising tension in the east of the country.
A Pentagon spokesman told the BBC late on Friday that the incidents had happened mainly near the border with Russia, but gave no further details. A Pentagon spokesman called on Russia to "de-escalate the situation".
Earlier, pro-Russian separatists seized a bus carrying international military observers, Ukrainian officials said. The statement came as the G7 group of industrialised countries agreed on Saturday to "swiftly" impose fresh sanctions on Russia over Ukraine.
Talks were under way to secure their release near the town of Sloviansk. Meanwhile, talks are under way to secure the release of international observers seized by separatists.
Russia has tens of thousands of troops deployed along its side of the border with Ukraine as pro-Moscow separatists continue to occupy official buildings in a dozen eastern towns, defying the government in Kiev.Russia has tens of thousands of troops deployed along its side of the border with Ukraine as pro-Moscow separatists continue to occupy official buildings in a dozen eastern towns, defying the government in Kiev.
The US and the EU appear to have moved closer to imposing further sanctions on Russia after a day of conference calls between Western leaders.
Reports say the sanctions would target individuals and entities. Under current US and EU measures, assets freezes and travel bans have targeted a number of Russian officials.
'Dangerously destabilising''Dangerously destabilising'
Russia has accused the West of wanting to "seize" Ukraine.Russia has accused the West of wanting to "seize" Ukraine.
In a statement from the Pentagon, Col Steven Warren repeated US calls to take "immediate steps to de-escalate the situation". In a statement on Friday, Pentagon spokesman Col Steven Warren said Russian aircraft had entered Ukrainian airspace several times in the past 24 hours.
He said the US had told Russian officials that US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel wanted to speak to his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu, but there had been no response so far. He gave no further details, but called on Moscow to take "immediate steps to de-escalate the situation".
Mr Hagel described Russian activity along the Ukrainian border as "dangerously destabilising" and "very provocative". US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel earlier described Russian activity along the Ukrainian border as "dangerously destabilising" and "very provocative".
Earlier this month, Ukraine and Russia struck an agreement in Geneva calling for separatists to leave official premises and give up their arms. The pact included an amnesty for those who left peacefully. Last week, Ukraine and Russia struck an agreement in Geneva calling for separatists to leave official premises and give up their arms. The pact included an amnesty for those who left peacefully.
But so far pro-Russian activists have refused to give in to the demands. On Thursday US Secretary of State John Kerry accused Moscow of trying to destabilise Ukraine. But so far pro-Russian activists have refused to give in to the demands.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday 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. A joint statement from the G7 said Russia had taken "no concrete actions in support of the Geneva accord".
Also on Friday, Ukraine's interior ministry said armed separatists had seized seven representatives from the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), as well as five Ukrainian army personnel and a bus driver. "We have now agreed that we will move swiftly to impose additional sanctions on Russia," the statement said.
Pro-Russian leaders in Sloviansk confirmed the bus had been stopped and said they were checking the identities of those on board. "Given the urgency of securing the opportunity for a successful and peaceful democratic vote next month in Ukraine's presidential elections, we have committed to act urgently to intensify targeted sanctions and measures to increase the costs of Russia's actions."
White House sources told reporters that sanctions could be in place as early as Monday.
It is unclear what form they will take. Under current US and EU measures, assets freezes and travel bans have targeted a number of Russian officials.
On Friday, Ukraine's interior ministry said armed separatists had seized seven representatives from the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), as well as five Ukrainian army personnel and a bus driver.
Pro-Russian leaders in Sloviansk confirmed the bus had been stopped near the town of Sloviansk and said they were checking the identities of those on board.
The self-proclaimed mayor of Sloviansk, Vyacheslav Ponomaryov, said at least one passenger had been carrying maps showing separatist checkpoints in the area, which suggested "their involvement in espionage".The self-proclaimed mayor of Sloviansk, Vyacheslav Ponomaryov, said at least one passenger had been carrying maps showing separatist checkpoints in the area, which suggested "their involvement in espionage".
A 'bloody crime'A 'bloody crime'
Last weekend, Mr Ponomaryov broadcast an appeal to President Putin asking for Russian troops to protect the city from "fascists" after three of his men died in a gunfight.Last weekend, Mr Ponomaryov broadcast an appeal to President Putin asking for Russian troops to protect the city from "fascists" after three of his men died in a gunfight.
Tensions have risen in recent days as Ukraine launched military raids to try to regain occupied buildings.Tensions have risen in recent days as Ukraine launched military raids to try to regain occupied buildings.
At least two separatists have been killed in the raids which Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov described as a "bloody crime".At least two separatists have been killed in the raids which Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov described as a "bloody crime".
Mr Lavrov repeated the accusation made previously by Moscow that Ukraine was waging a war against its own people.Mr Lavrov repeated the accusation made previously by Moscow that Ukraine was waging a war against its own people.
Unrest in Ukraine began last November over whether the country should look towards Moscow or the West.Unrest in Ukraine began last November over whether the country should look towards Moscow or the West.
Last month, Russia annexed Ukraine's mainly ethnic-Russian Crimean peninsula. 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 Crimean peninsula. This followed a referendum in the region that backed joining the Russian Federation but which the West and Kiev deemed illegal.