Kerry Says Russia Vows to Respect Ukraine Unity as Crimea Sets May 25 Referendum on Region Status
Lawmakers in Crimea's regional parliament, which is currently being controlled by pro-Russian gunmen, voted Thursday to hold a referendum on May 25 on the region's status in Ukraine, the parliament's press service said.
Legislators fixed the vote to determine whether to increase Crimea's autonomy from Kiev and they also voted to dismiss the region's current government, which has backed the new interim authorities in the capital.
Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov vowed Thursday that Moscow "will respect the territorial integrity of Ukraine" and voiced concerns about the situation in southern Crimea, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said.
The top U.S. diplomat said the pledge came in an early morning phone call with his Russian counterpart, who also insisted Moscow was not behind the storming of Crimean government buildings by pro-Kremlin gunmen.
"I asked specifically that Russia work with the United States and our friends and allies in order to support Ukraine to rebuild unity, security and a healthy economy," Kerry told reporters.
Lavrov "reaffirmed President (Vladimir) Putin's statement that Russia will respect the territorial integrity of Ukraine and we believe that everybody now needs to step back and avoid any kind of provocations," Kerry said after talks with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
But he warned that Washington would be keeping a close eye on events in order to ensure that Moscow remained true to its word.
Also on Thursday, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe expressed "serious concern" Thursday over the situation in Crimea and said it was sending an envoy.
"I urge everyone concerned to exercise responsibility and caution in this precarious situation, and call on all sides to take all necessary measures to avoid further escalation and refrain from violence," said Swiss Foreign Minister Didier Burkhalter, whose country holds the rotating chairmanship of the OSCE.
Source: Agence France Presse
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