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| Ukraine crisis: John Kerry warns Moscow against splitting country in two ahead of Donetsk referendum | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| John Kerry has denounced efforts of pro-Russian separatists to hold a referendum on secession as “contrived and bogus” amid fears Moscow plans to split the country by annexing further parts of Ukraine. | John Kerry has denounced efforts of pro-Russian separatists to hold a referendum on secession as “contrived and bogus” amid fears Moscow plans to split the country by annexing further parts of Ukraine. |
| The next few days could prove decisive when separatists in the eastern Donbass region hold a referendum on secession on 11 May, similar to the one that preceded Russia's annexation of Crimea. | The next few days could prove decisive when separatists in the eastern Donbass region hold a referendum on secession on 11 May, similar to the one that preceded Russia's annexation of Crimea. |
| Ahead of the votes in the eastern Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Luhansk on Sunday in which they plan to break free from the rest of the country, the US Secretary of State warned the regions were set to follow the same path as Crimea. | Ahead of the votes in the eastern Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Luhansk on Sunday in which they plan to break free from the rest of the country, the US Secretary of State warned the regions were set to follow the same path as Crimea. |
| "We flatly reject this illegal effort to further divide Ukraine," the US Secretary of State told reporters after meeting at the State Department with EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton. "Its pursuit will create even more problems in the effort to try to de-escalate the situation." | "We flatly reject this illegal effort to further divide Ukraine," the US Secretary of State told reporters after meeting at the State Department with EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton. "Its pursuit will create even more problems in the effort to try to de-escalate the situation." |
| “This is really the Crimea playbook all over again, and no civilized nation is going to recognise the results of such a bogus effort." | “This is really the Crimea playbook all over again, and no civilized nation is going to recognise the results of such a bogus effort." |
| The rebel stronghold of Donetsk has become the scene of violent clashes between pro-Russian militants and Ukrainian riot police, with 26 people needing medical attention on Thursday after street battles broke out. | The rebel stronghold of Donetsk has become the scene of violent clashes between pro-Russian militants and Ukrainian riot police, with 26 people needing medical attention on Thursday after street battles broke out. |
| Earlier that day, crowds of pro-Russian supporters had marched through the city demanding the 11 May referendum take place. | Earlier that day, crowds of pro-Russian supporters had marched through the city demanding the 11 May referendum take place. |
| Mr Kerry’s comments came as government forces attempted to re-take a city hall in the eastern port of Mariupol, Ukrainian media announced on Wednesday, after heavy fighting with militants. | Mr Kerry’s comments came as government forces attempted to re-take a city hall in the eastern port of Mariupol, Ukrainian media announced on Wednesday, after heavy fighting with militants. |
| Mr Kerry warned the US would impose more powerful sanctions designed to hurt Russia's economy if it tries to disrupt Ukraine's presidential election set for 25 May. | Mr Kerry warned the US would impose more powerful sanctions designed to hurt Russia's economy if it tries to disrupt Ukraine's presidential election set for 25 May. |
| "There's no question about our ability, when we want to, to be able to put sanctions in place that are even more biting than what we have today," he continued. | "There's no question about our ability, when we want to, to be able to put sanctions in place that are even more biting than what we have today," he continued. |
| "But you have to ask yourself if the price has been fully paid ahead of time, whether or not that invites something further that you don't want to have happen. So there is a delicate mix here." | "But you have to ask yourself if the price has been fully paid ahead of time, whether or not that invites something further that you don't want to have happen. So there is a delicate mix here." |
| The Russian president Vladimir Putin has since signalled he is willing to work together "and seek ways out of this crisis". | The Russian president Vladimir Putin has since signalled he is willing to work together "and seek ways out of this crisis". |
| "I know that you have your own proposals, your ideas of how to find a way out of the situation (in Ukraine) that has occurred. Our position is known too," Putin said ahead of talks with Didier Burkhalter, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for 2014 and Head of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. | "I know that you have your own proposals, your ideas of how to find a way out of the situation (in Ukraine) that has occurred. Our position is known too," Putin said ahead of talks with Didier Burkhalter, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for 2014 and Head of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. |
| "Let's try to analyse the situation and seek ways out of this crisis." | "Let's try to analyse the situation and seek ways out of this crisis." |
| Additional reporting by agencies | Additional reporting by agencies |