Kiev-controlled Rada cautions Putin against sending troops to Ukraine
2 March 2014, 15:17
Verkhovna Rada lawmakers have cautioned Russian President Vladimir Putin against sending troops to Ukraine.
In a statement passed at Sunday's emergency session, the Turchinov-orchestrated Rada urged Putin to refrain from moving troops into Ukraine.
In a separate statement, the lawmakers demanded that all Russian Black Sea Fleet servicemen be immediately withdrawn to their bases.
'Any movements of servicemen, hardware or weapons must be coordinated with the competent bodies of Ukraine,' the document says.
Ukraine parliament holding urgent session behind closed doors
Ukraine's unicameral parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, is reportedly meeting behind closed doors to discuss the situation in the country. A total of 306 lawmakers have been registered for the debate, with 296 upholding the closed-doors format.
Member of Batkivshchyna faction in Verkhovna Rada and former deputy head of the Ukrainian Security Council Andriy Kozhemyakin believes that Verkhovna Rada may decide on introducing a state of emergency or martial law but hopes that the situation in Crimea will be resolved diplomatically through political efforts.
'I believe that in this situation today politicians and diplomats should work: Ukraine is a peaceful state: and will not war with anyone,' he said to reporters before the parliament session on Sunday.
In his opinion, 'very much will depend' on the Sunday session.Answering the question why the session will be closed to the press he said: 'There is such a procedure.
In such force majeure circumstances we have the right to hold a closed session and make comments afterwards,' he added.
Asked what particular decisions may be made and whether a state of emergency or martial law may be imposed he said: 'We will be speaking of a threat that exists to our territorial integrity and how we can get rid of it - by diplomatic or political actions.
Shedding blood is the last thing that can happen to this country.''Verkhovna Rada may decide and impose a state of emergency and marital law but in my opinion, we have a chance to resolve the issue in a peaceful way,' he summed up.
Voice of Russia, Interfax
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