Russian Foreign Ministry urges Kyiv not to foment tensions in Crimea
Russia is extremely concerned by the latest events in Crimea, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
“Unidentified armed men sent from Kyiv attempted to seize the building of the Interior Ministry of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea in the early hours of March 1. The treacherous provocation resulted in casualties. Self-defense units’ resolute actions helped avert the attempt to seize the Interior Ministry building. These events confirm the desire of well-known political circles in Kyiv to destabilize the situation on the peninsula,” says the statement available on the Russian Foreign Ministry website.
“We are calling on those who issue such orders from Kyiv to exercise restraint. We view the attempts to further escalate the already tense situation in Crimea as extremely irresponsible,” it said.
Russia may send limited armed force to Crimea to protect Russian citizens, Black Sea Fleet – Federation Council chair
Russia may send a limited armed force to Crimea to ensure security of
the Russian Black Sea Fleet and Russian citizens staying there,
Federation Council Chair Valentina Matviyenko says.
“Perhaps in this situation we could grant the Crimean government’s
request and send a limited contingent there to provide security of the
Black Sea Fleet and Russian citizens living in Crimea,” Matviyenko said
on Saturday.