Ukrainian UN rep accuses Russia of aggression

Yuriy Sergeyev, Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the United Nations, accuses Russia of aggression against Ukraine in informal comments to international media. See a portion of today’s emergency Security Council meeting further down…

1 March 2014 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Saturday called for direct dialogue between all concerned amid the growing tensions in the Crimea region of Ukraine, as the United Nations Security Council holds urgent talks for the second day in a row on the crisis.

Tensions have been mounting in recent days in Crimea, with media now reporting that the Russian parliament has approved sending troops into the region.

Mr. Ban, who is scheduled to speak to President Vladimir Putin of Russia, continues to closely follow the “seriously and rapidly unfolding events” in Ukraine, and is gravely concerned about the deterioration of the situation.

“The Secretary-General reiterates his call for the full respect for and preservation of the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine,” his spokesperson said in a statement.