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Kerry calls on Russia to send forces back to their bases in Crimea

Iran Press TV

Sun Mar 16, 2014 5:47PM GMT

US Secretary of State John Kerry has called on Russia to withdraw its forces to their bases in the autonomous Ukrainian region as tensions between Washington and Moscow mount over Crimea.

Kerry made the demand in a telephone call with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Sunday as residents of Crimea voted to decide whether to break away from Ukraine and rejoin Russia in a referendum that has triggered the biggest crisis in relations between the US and Russia since the Cold War.

"The secretary made clear that this crisis can only be resolved politically and that as Ukrainians take the necessary political measures going forward, Russia must reciprocate by pulling forces back to base, and addressing the tensions and concerns about military engagement," said a senior US State Department official.

According to the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, Kerry reiterated that the US considers the referendum illegal under Ukrainian law and that it would not recognize the result of the voting.

"He urged Russia to support efforts by Ukrainians across the spectrum to address power sharing and decentralization through a constitutional reform process that is broadly inclusive and protects the rights of minorities," said the official.

Russian foreign ministry said in a statement that Lavrov urged Kerry to use the US influence to encourage Kiev authorities to stop "massive lawlessness" towards Russian-speaking population.

On Saturday, Russia vetoed a US-drafted resolution at the United Nations Security Council that declared the referendum on the future of Crimea invalid and urged nations and international organizations not to recognize it.

Later on Saturday, the Russian Foreign Ministry condemned the US-sponsored resolution as another American attempt to meddle in Ukraine. "Unfortunately neither the stability of that country (Ukraine), nor its security nor the flourishing of its citizens concerns Washington."

Unlike the US, Russia argues that the referendum is legal and that the people of Crimea have the right to exercise their right to self-determination.

GJH/DDB