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Moscow Reserves Right to Protect Compatriots in Ukraine, Urges OSCE Observers in Referendum

Moscow Reserves Right to Protect Compatriots in Ukraine, Urges OSCE Observers in Referendum
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Russia said Friday it reserved the right to protect its compatriots in the whole of Ukraine after a protester was killed in fresh clashes in the east of the country.

Moscow Reserves Right to Protect Compatriots in Ukraine, Urges OSCE Observers in ReferendumThe statement appears to dramatically raise the stakes in the Ukrainian crisis, and will be seen as Russia hinting it may move its forces beyond the Russian-speaking peninsula of Crimea.

"Russia recognizes its responsibility for the life of its compatriots and fellow citizens in Ukraine and reserves the right to protect people," the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement.

A pro-Kiev protester was stabbed and killed Thursday and several were injured in clashes in the Russian-speaking Ukrainian city of Donetsk, the first death since tensions erupted in the southeast of the country after pro-Russian forces took control of Crimea.

"We have repeatedly stated that those who have come to power in Kiev should disarm militants, ensure the safety of the population and people's legal right to hold rallies," the foreign ministry said.
He further said: "Unfortunately, as the events in Ukraine demonstrate, this is not happening, and the Kiev authorities do not have the situation under control."

Russia on Friday called on the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe to send its observers to monitor Crimea's controversial referendum on independence from Ukraine.
The foreign ministry said it "calls on the leadership of the OSCE, its member states and the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights to renounce the practice of 'double standards' and positively consider an invitation from the Crimean authorities to take part in monitoring the upcoming referendum" on Sunday.

The participation of the monitors will "agree with fundamental OSCE principles and facilitate de-escalation of the situation in the region," the statement said.
OSCE observers have repeatedly tried and failed to enter Crimea over the past days and on Saturday its monitors were turned away from trying to access peninsula after warning shots were fired as they approached a checkpoint.

The foreign ministry said the Crimean authorities had sent the invitation for the OSCE to monitor the plebiscite on Monday.
Earlier this week, OSCE Chairman Didier Burkhalter said the upcoming referendum "must be considered illegal" in its current form, ruling out an OSCE observation.

Moscow said it regretted Burkhalter's remarks, reiterating its point of view that the Sunday event would be legitimate.
Citing the 1975 Helsinki Accords, Russia said that all peoples have a right to self-determination.
Russia and the West are locked in a confrontation over the fate of Ukraine's Russian-speaking peninsula of Crimea, which Russian forces occupied following a popular uprising in Kiev last month.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team