"Moscow has deployed 10,000 troops along its border with Ukraine, deepening the crisis in Crimea ahead of a last desperate effort by the US secretary of state, John Kerry, to broker a deal with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, in London on Friday".
"Ukraine's prime minister, Yatsenyuk told the UN security council on Thursday he is convinced Russians do not want war. He urged Russia's leaders to heed the people's wishes and return to dialogue with Ukraine. "If we start real talks with Russia, I believe we can be real partners," Yatsenyuk said".
Russian troops now control the Crimean peninsula, where voters will decide on Sunday whether to become part of Russia.
Western diplomats have expressed little optimism ahead of the London talks, scheduled to begin on Friday . Nothing resembling a peace plan has been sketched out between the two sides, one said.
The Russian deployment coincided with a vote in the Ukrainian parliament to create a 60,000-strong national guard. Ukraine's national security chief, Andriy Parubiy, said the force would "ensure state security, defend the borders and eliminate terrorist groups".
US state department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Kerry would reaffirm US support for Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity without interference or provocation by Russia. The secretary of state had previously declined a Russian invitation to Moscow and his decision to go to London prompted speculation the Kremlin may have offered concessions to ensure he would not leave empty-handed.
Before leaving Washington for London, Kerry warned Russia that the EU was planning to join the US in imposing more sanctions on Moscow if the referendum went ahead. The sanctions would include a travel ban and a freeze on bank accounts.
Reuters reported that the German vice-chancellor, Sigmar Gabriel, warned that Germany would not hesitate to go beyond a second round of European sanctions planned for Monday if the referendum goes ahead.
David Cameron and foreign secretary William Hague will meet Kerry before his meeting with Lavrov. A Foreign Office spokesman said Hague had phoned both Kerry and Lavrov to encourage them "to hold talks in London with a view to de-escalating the situation in Crimea and setting up dialogue between Russia and Ukraine".
Source: theguardian
