Ukraine＇s acting president, Oleksandr Turchynov, says he is not against a national referendum on what kind of country Ukraine should be.
Turchynov said Monday he is certain a majority would support a united and independent Ukraine, possibly giving broader localized rights to the east. He said such a vote could be held at the same time as the May 25 presidential election.
In Moscow, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Monday he believes Russian-speaking Ukrainians in the eastern part of the country should be part of drafting a new constitution.
Pro-Russian demonstrators who have seized Ukrainian government buildings in several cities, including yet another in Horlivka on Monday, are demanding a referendum on whether to split with Ukraine and join Russia - similar to last month＇s vote in Crimea.
Eastern Ukraine is on edge as Turchynov threatens to launch what he called a "large-scale anti-terrorist operation" against those who have taken over the buildings.
However, a Monday morning deadline passed without any sign of movement by security forces against the protesters who remain in place behind barricades in the city of Slovyansk and elsewhere.
Turchynov has promised amnesty for those who give up their weapons and come out peacefully. But he says he will not let Russia take over eastern Ukraine the way it annexed Crimea.
The escalation came a day after pro-Russian gunmen took over the Slovyansk police station, and government facilities in the largely Russian-speaking cities of Donetsk and Kramatorsk.
EU threatens more sanctions
The European Union threatened Russia with more sanctions on Monday over its actions in eastern Ukraine.
Ukraine dominated talks among EU foreign ministers after Kyiv threatened military action against pro-Russian separatists occupying government buildings in the east.
British Foreign Secretary William Hague said the EU now needed to discuss adding more people to a list of 33 Russian and Ukrainian officials targeted by EU asset freezes and travel bans.
But other governments were more cautious on sanctions, underscoring concerns in parts of Europe about antagonizing a power with an energy stranglehold over the bloc, and put their faith in talks planned for Geneva on Thursday.
Germany said the planned meeting between the EU, the U.S., Russia and Ukraine could help calm tensions even though the option of sanctions remained on the table.
In addition to widening asset freezes and visa bans, the EU is discussing possible more far-reaching measures, such as restrictions on trade and finance with Russia. |
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