08/04/2014 10:42
Ukraine crisis: US warns Russia over 'destabilisation'
The US has voiced "great concern" about heightened tension in eastern Ukraine after pro-Russia demonstrators seized government buildings in three cities, the BBC reported.
US Secretary of State John Kerry told Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in a phone call that any Russian efforts at destabilisation "would incur costs."
They discussed the possibility of direct talks within the next 10 days.
Ukraine is sending security officials to Donetsk, Luhansk and Kharkiv, after buildings there were stormed.
Rebels occupying Donetsk's regional government building declared a "people's republic" on Monday and called for a referendum on secession from Ukraine to be held by 11 May.
US State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said that in the telephone call, Mr Kerry "called on Russia to publicly disavow the activities of separatists, saboteurs and provocateurs" in Ukraine.
She said Mr Kerry noted that the actions in eastern Ukraine "do not appear to be a spontaneous set of events."
"He made clear that any further Russian efforts to destabilise Ukraine will incur further costs for Russia," Ms Psaki said.