Russian President Vladimir Putin. Photograph courtesy of the Kremlin
President Vladimir Putin has asked the Russian upper house of parliament to approve the deployment of Russian troops in Ukraine, says the Kremlin.
Ukraine has already accused Russia of trying to provoke confrontation in Crimea, and claim Moscow has already moved an extra 6,000 troops, where Russia bases their Black Sea Fleet. Any Russian troop movements in Ukraine are supposed to have been agreed upon in advance with the Ukrainian government.
Putin contends that Russia may need to deploy troops in Crimea to stabilize the situation and protect Russian citizens, with a number of people in the region ethnically Russian and holding dual Russian and Ukrainian passports.
The recently elected pro-Moscow leader of Crimea, Sergiy Aksonov, has appealed to Putin for help in ensuring stability in the region.
The Russian upper house must approve the request before any troops can be deployed.
This move will increase tensions between Kiev and Moscow, with unidentified and well-equipped pro-Russian armed men currently occupying government buildings and both airports in Crimea, and the ousted Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych having fled to Russia.
US President Barack Obama has warned that Russia will face unspecified “costs” for any military intervention in Ukraine.
