Zee Media Bureau/ Neha Attre
Kiev: Ahead of the Ukrainian government`s deadline to initiate military action against the pro-Russia protesters in eastern Ukraine on Monday, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) held an emergency meeting to deliberate over the ongoing crisis.
The meeting was requested by Russia after the Ukrainian government issued a presidential decree stating that either pro-Russian protesters end the protests and free the government buildings or face military action.
The pro-Russian protesters had seized government buildings in six cities in eastern Ukraine. The US has said that the “tactics” are similar to the ones that took place before the annexation of Crimea.
A deadline of until 0600 GMT was also given to the protesters to lay down their weapons.
The ultimatum was issued after one security officer was killed and five others injured during operation in the eastern city of Slaviansk.
At the special UN meeting, Ukraine`s UN ambassador Yuriy Sergeyev blamed Russia for the unrest in the eastern region and said that it was “orchestrated” by Moscow.
Meanwhile, Russia`s ambassador Vitaliy Churkin called for a need to start a dialogue process between the two countries.
In the wake of the escalating Ukraine crisis, the US is also planning to impose more sanctions on Russia.
