Putin implies the Russian military may intervene
Iran Press TV
Thu Apr 17, 2014 2:8PM GMT
Russian President Vladimir Putin has implied that his country may intervene in Ukraine militarily if the Kiev government continues to use force against pro-Moscow activists in eastern Ukraine.
Addressing Russians in his annual televised phone-in, President Putin said on Thursday that he hopes not 'to be obliged to use' a military option in Ukraine.
This thinly veiled threat came only a few hours after three pro-Russia protesters were killed in an overnight gunfight with Ukrainian troops.
Following the clashes with Ukrainian forces in the southeastern city of Mariupol three protesters were killed, 13 wounded and 63 detained.
Russia is accused of backing pro-Russian protesters which are currently active in Ukraine's southeast regions.
Russia denies any ties to pro-Russian protesters but has warned Ukraine not to use force against them.
Pro-Russia rallies gained momentum in the eastern and southern parts of Ukraine after the Crimean territory declared independence from the former Soviet state and formally applied to become part of the Russian Federation following a referendum on March 16, in which almost 97 percent of the participants voted for rejoining Russia, with a turnout of more than 83 percent.
SRK/AB
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
