• 10 years ago
The war of words between the US and Russia rachets up a notch over events in eastern Ukraine.

Using strong language US Secretary of State John Kerry called on Moscow to help defuse the crisis or face further sanctions.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE JOHN KERRY SAYING:

"The world has rightly judged that Prime Minister Yatseniuk and the government of Ukraine are working in good faith and the world sadly has rightly judged that Russia has put its faith in distraction, deception, destabilisation."

Pro-Russian separatists are occupying key buildings in a dozen eastern Ukrainian towns, defying the central government.

The Geneva agreement says they must return home.

But here the militants retake a checkpoint in the city of Slaviansk after morning raids by Ukrainian commandos left at least two separatists dead.

Russian President Vladimir Putin called on the U.S. to make Kiev stop the raids or face the consequences.

"(STARTING OVER

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