| CNN | - |
(CNN)
-- [Breaking news update posted at 6:07 p.m. ET]. U.S. Secretary of
State John Kerry, speaking in Paris after talks about the political
crisis in Ukraine with his Russian counterpart, said Sunday that Russia
indicated a desire to support Ukraine on its path ...
Kerry: Russia supports finding a diplomatic solution to crisis in Ukraine
updated 7:11 PM EDT, Sun March 30, 2014
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STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- NEW: Kerry says Russia did not agree to move troops from Ukraine border
- NEW: Kerry said both sides made suggestions about how to de-escalate the crisis
- U.S. secretary of state, Russian foreign minister met for four hours Sunday
- Lavrov: Russia, U.S. and EU should act as support group for Kiev
"We both made suggestions
as to how that will be achieved ... and I will return to Washington to
consult with President Obama on his choices," Kerry said at a news
conference in Paris. "We are trying to find a way to defuse this."
Kerry said Lavrov
indicated Russia "wants to support" Ukraine in its move toward
independence but said the massing of Russian troops has created "a
climate of fear and intimidation."
"Is it smart at this
moment in time to have that number of troops amassed on a border when
you are sending a message that you want to de-escalate and move in the
other direction?" Kerry said.
Kerry said Russia and the
United States agreed to work with Ukraine on several issues: the rights
of national minorities; language rights; the demobilization and
disarmament of provocateurs; a constitutional reform process; and free
and fair elections monitored by the international community.
But no real progress can be made until the troops are pulled back, Kerry said.
He added that Ukrainians
must be part of any discussions going forward, saying, "No decisions
about Ukraine without Ukraine." Other nations support this stance, he
said.
Hours before the meeting, Lavrov called on Western powers to back a proposal for a "federal" structure in Ukraine.
"If our Western partners
are prepared, Russia, the U.S. and the EU will be able to set up a group
of support to Ukraine and to formulate general appeals to those who
rule in Ukraine now," Lavrov told Russian state television, according to
state news agency ITAR-Tass.
This would lead to talks
between "all political forces without exception, naturally not armed
radicals" and would result in a new constitution allowing for a "federal
system of government," he said.
"If our partners are prepared for this, we are open for broadest cooperation," Lavrov added.
Kerry said that subject was not discussed with Lavrov because it's a decision Ukraine's leaders must make.
With millions of Russian speakers concentrated in Ukraine's eastern regions, Russia backs the idea of greater regional autonomy.
This would "protect the
rights of those who live in Ukraine, primarily the Russian-speaking
population, which is important to us," Lavrov said.
Lavrov and Kerry met for
four hours in Paris on Sunday, as both sides tried to ease tensions in
the worst East-West standoff since the Cold War. The meeting ended about
5 p.m. ET.
Russian forces on border
The meeting follows a phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Barack Obama on Friday.
"What gives me a sense
we may be able to solve the situation is that Putin did call our
President and suggestions were made, and there will be a meeting
(between Kerry and Lavrov)," Sen. Dianne Feinstein, chairwoman of the
Senate Intelligence Committee, told CNN's "State of the Union" on
Sunday.
"And there may well be the ability to solve this."
On Saturday, Lavrov said
Russia had no intention of sending troops into Ukraine -- responding to
Western warnings over a military buildup on the border following
Moscow's annexation of the Crimean peninsula.
Crimeans voted to secede
from Ukraine and join Russia in a March 16 referendum dismissed as a
sham by Western governments, which say it violated Ukraine's
constitution and was held only after pro-Russian forces had seized
control of the Black Sea peninsula.
Russia may have 40,000
troops near its border with eastern Ukraine and another 25,000 at
locations inland who are on alert and prepared to go in, two U.S.
officials have told CNN. The officials said that this estimate was
largely based on satellite imagery and that a firm number is difficult
to assess.
Russia has said its troops are carrying out snap military exercises in the region.
The United States and
the European Union have already imposed two rounds of sanctions on
Russia, including visa bans and asset freezes for some of Putin's inner
circle. The West has threatened tougher sanctions targeting Russia's
economy if Moscow sends more troops to Ukraine. Russia has drawn up
countersanctions, barring senior U.S. officials from entering Russia.
U.S. Defense Secretary
Chuck Hagel ordered the top U.S. commander in Europe back to the
continent because of the "growing uncertainty in Ukraine," Pentagon
press secretary Rear. Adm. John Kirby said Sunday. Gen. Phil Breedlove
was in Washington, where he was supposed to give annual testimony before
Congress later this week.
"More broadly, he felt
it was important for General Breedlove to continue our efforts to
consult with NATO allies, and to discuss specific ways to provide
additional reassurance for our NATO allies in Eastern Europe," Kirby
said of Hagel's decision to cut short Breedlove's stay in Washington.
"While it does not
foreshadow imminent military action in Ukraine, the general's return
will allow him more time to confer closely with his staff and our allies
and partners, and to better advise senior leaders," Kirby said.
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