Kerry in London for last-ditch Ukraine talks

World attention is now focused on what moves Putin may make on Monday following the vote. There are growing concerns that he may have further ambitions to seize other swathes of Ukraine.

– ‘Environment of intimidation’ –

Alarm was raised in recent days by a large mobilisation of Russian forces on the eastern borders of Ukraine, with an estimated 20,000 troops already inside southern Crimea as well as growing intimidation by pro-Kremlin militias and mobs.

We’re very concerned. This is the second time inside a month that Russia has chosen to mass large amounts of forces in short notice around the borders of eastern Ukraine,” a senior State Department official told reporters travelling with Kerry to London.

“It certainly creates an environment of intimidation. It certainly is destabilizing,” the official said.

“We are going to present within the context of a unified sovereign Ukraine the best offer for de-escalation that the Ukrainian people can accept and see if Russia is prepared to take that offer.”

Amid the bitterest East-West standoff since the end of the Cold War, Washington and its international allies want to see Russia pull back its forces, and allow international observers into Kiev and Crimea to monitor the situation.

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