Ukraine PM accuses Russia of trying to provoke war

ROME, Italy – Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk on April 26, Saturday, accused Russia of trying to spark a conflict by violating Ukrainian airspace and supporting “terrorists” and “gangsters” in eastern Ukraine.

“Russian military aircraft today at night crossed and violated Ukrainian airspace seven times,” he said during a visit to Rome after brief meetings with Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and Pope Francis.

“The only reason is to provoke Ukraine to strike (fire) a missile and to accuse Ukraine of waging a war on Russia,” Yatsenyuk said, speaking outside the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic cathedral of St Sophia in Rome.

But the Russian Defense Ministry denied the claims by the Pentagon and Ukraine’s pro-Western leader, saying in a statement: “Russia’s airspace monitoring systems have not registered any violations of air borders of the states adjacent to Russia, including Ukraine.”

Yatsenyuk had been expected to stay for the canonization ceremony on Sunday for popes John Paul II and John XXIII, but his spokeswoman said he had to cut short his visit “because of the situation”.

Yastenyuk prayed together with Ukrainian priests in front of a wall covered in photos of protesters who were shot dead during protests in Kiev in the past few months before President Viktor Yanukovych’s ouster.

He set a candle in front of the images, as dozens of Ukrainian faithful stood by – many wearing blue and yellow ribbons in the colors of the Ukrainian flag.

Yatsenyuk also said the seizure of 13 international OSCE observers by pro-Kremlin rebels in eastern Ukraine on Friday was “evidence that these so-called peaceful protesters with Russian ideas are terrorists.”

He also referred to the militants as “gangsters.”

‘Russian aggression’

Russia pledged on Saturday to help free the observers, who were sent to Ukraine to monitor an accord between Russia, Ukraine, the United States and the European Union that was meant to de-escalate the crisis.

The Ukrainian premier said “Russian aggression aims to undermine global stability.”

“We urge Russia to pull back its security forces. We urge Russia to leave us alone,” he said.

Yatsenyuk met Pope Francis for a private audience on Saturday, and said he had “asked his Holiness to pray for my country and peace in Europe.”

At an exchange of gifts, Yatsenyuk presented Francis with a photograph of Kiev’s vast Maidan square on New Year’s night.

“This is where Ukrainians fought for their freedom and rights. Millions of people,” he said.

The pope in return offered the Ukraine leader a pen, saying “I hope this pen will sign the peace”, to which Yatsenyuk replied “I hope so.”

As the two leaders parted, Francis put his hand on his chest and said “I will do everything possible” for peace.

The Group of Seven rich countries have agreed to slap new sanctions on Moscow as early as Monday.

Russia has warned it has a “right” to invade to protect Ukraine’s Russian-speaking population concentrated in the east and southeast. – Rappler.com