He said, "I deplore the recent violence in Kyiv and call on all parties to exercise restraint. I welcome the news that there will be a cross-party commission to address the crisis. This needs to be a sincere effort on all sides to respond to the concerns that millions of Ukrainians have expressed in peaceful, dignified, civilised protest over recent weeks."
Mr Lidington, Minister for Europe, said, "All sides have a responsibility to refrain from violence and avoid actions that might inflame the situation further, and particular responsibility rests with the Ukrainian government and President Yanukovych."
I would like to pay tribute to the overwhelmingly peaceful nature of the demonstrations in Ukraine. The United Kingdom will continue to monitor the situation and make clear to those concerned that any restrictions on fundamental rights or abuse of basic human rights by the authorities will have serious consequences for the relationship between Ukraine and the United Kingdom.
Foreign Secretary William Hague said, "we shared our concerns on the situation in Ukraine."
Speaking after the meeatin, the Foreign Secretary said, "the Foreign Minister and I share deep concern about the situation in Ukraine, and the need to see democracy and the rule of law properly upheld. We condemn violence and are very concerned by reports of disappearances and torture. We call for all these cases to be fully and transparently investigated."
He said, "I am appalled by today’s reports of serious violence and deaths in Kyiv. This has no place in a European democracy which is also an important member of the OSCE and Council of Europe."
He said, "Violence is not the way to resolve the political differences across the country. The President needs to engage with the opposition and work with all sides in Ukraine to agree political reforms that reflect the democratic aspirations of the Ukrainian people."
Due to the situation at the time, the British Embassy in Kyiv was temporarily closed to visitors.
After the calls a spokesperson said, "All three leaders support the idea of a roadmap that has been put forward by European foreign ministers in Kiev today. The Prime Minister agreed with President Putin that they should both encourage all sides in Ukraine to get behind this emerging plan as a way to end the violence and open the way to a lasting peaceful solution."
The statement after the meeting stated: "The Minister expressed extreme concern over the reports of further violence and deaths, and made clear that action against peaceful protestors on Independence Square is unacceptable."
He said, "The latest scenes and events in Kyiv, including the killing of more protestors we’ve heard about this morning are utterly unacceptable and indefensible and the United Kingdom condemns these actions in the strongest terms."
They are both extremely concerned by the spiralling violence. They agreed that the immediate priority must be to stop the violence and that President Yanukovych has a particular responsibility to help de-escalate the situation by pulling back government forces.
He said, "We’ve had a strongly united discussion and decision among the EU foreign ministers today. There is widespread horror in the European Union as well as in the United Kingdom at the scale of the loss of innocent life and the events of the last 48 hours. Of course we call on all involved to turn away from violence, but some people are responsible for the violence and so we have decided to introduce targeted measures and targeted sanctions involving visa bans and asset freezes on those individuals who are responsible."
He said, "I urge all sides to adhere to the agreement in good faith to ensure a peaceful political settlement, including a return to the 2004 constitution, a government of national unity and early elections."
He said, "Today I am in close touch with key partners over the extraordinary developments in Ukraine. Events in the last 24 hours show the will of Ukrainians to move towards a different future, and ensure that the voices of those who have protested courageously over several months are heard. I welcome reports that Yulia Tymoshenko may soon be released from custody."
He said: "Ukraine now has a pressing need for constitutional reform, improvements to its political culture, free elections, an end to pervasive corruption and the building of a stable political structure. We look to the new government to create the conditions for such change, in a spirit of reconciliation, and to ensure accountability for human rights violations."
A spokesperson statement after the call said, "The Prime Minister emphasised that all countries should respect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine. President Putin agreed, stressing that Russian military exercises in the area had been planned before the current situation in Ukraine."
He said, "I am deeply concerned at the escalation of tensions in Ukraine, and the decision of the Russian parliament to authorise military action on Ukrainian soil against the wishes of the Ukrainian government. This action is a potentially grave threat to the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine. We condemn any act of aggression against Ukraine."
He said: "Britain views the developments in the Ukraine with growing concern. This afternoon, in view of the seriousness of events unfolding there today, and the Russian Parliament’s decision to authorise Russian military intervention, the United Kingdom has called an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council. There can be no excuse for outside military intervention in Ukraine - a point I made to President Putin when we spoke yesterday. Everyone must think carefully about their actions and work to lower, not escalate tensions. The world is watching."
At the request of the Foreign Secretary, the Russian Ambassador was summoned to the Foreign Office this evening to meet Political Director Simon Gass. The Political Director expressed deep concern at the Russian Parliament’s decision to authorise military action in Ukraine against the wishes of the Ukrainian government.
Before travelling he said: "I’m going to Kiev to meet the new Ukrainian authorities. I have had telephone calls with many of them over the last few days. I think it’s very important to meet them, including the acting president. It’s very important that we all do everything we can to calm tensions. The Ukrainians have said to me in the last couple of days that they will not rise to provocations. And of course I will strongly advise them to continue with that approach. I am very concerned by reports this morning of escalating tension."
A spokesperson said: "In current circumstances, the Prime Minister is clear that the focus of our engagement with Russia must be the situation in Ukraine, rather than other normal business. The Foreign Secretary announced earlier today that the UK will not take part in any of the G8 preparatory meetings in Russia planned for this week."
A spokesperson said: "They agreed that Russia’s actions were completely unacceptable. They agreed on the urgent need for de-escalation and for Russia to engage in a dialogue directly with Ukraine."
A joint statement from the leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States and the President of the European Council and President of the European Commission: "We, the leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States and the President of the European Council and President of the European Commission, join together today to condemn the Russian Federation’s clear violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, in contravention of Russia’s obligations under the UN Charter and its 1997 basing agreement with Ukraine. We call on Russia to address any ongoing security or human rights concerns that it has with Ukraine through direct negotiations, and/or via international observation or mediation under the auspices of the UN or the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. We stand ready to assist with these efforts."
The statement said: "The transition to a new government in Ukraine offers a unique opportunity to put in place urgently needed market-oriented reforms that will restore financial stability, unleash economic potential, and allow Ukraine’s people to better achieve their economic aspirations."
He said: "All of us, including Russia, have signed treaties and memorandums that commit us to respecting the sovereignty, the borders and territorial integrity of Ukraine. And Russia’s intervention is a flagrant violation of those international commitments."
A spokesperson said: "In both calls, the leaders agreed that the international community should speak with one voice and send a clear message to Russia that its actions in Ukraine were completely unacceptable."
He said: "Her Majesty’s Government condemns any violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, which contravene Russia’s obligations under the UN Charter, the OSCE Helsinki Final Act and the 1997 Partition Treaty on the Status and Conditions of the Black Sea Fleet with Ukraine. Under that agreement Russia is entitled to station troops and naval personnel on its bases in Crimea, but not to deploy troops outside those bases without the permission of the Ukrainian government."
He said: "Today we are trying to use every diplomatic opportunity to bring Russia and Ukraine into direct contact with each other at a senior level to make sure that the governments of Russia and Ukraine are talking to each other, which the Russians have not been prepared to do at a senior level in recent days. We will make further attempts at this afternoon, and we’ve held a meeting this morning under the 1994 Budapest Memorandum – this is the agreement signed by Russia, the United States, the United Kingdom and Ukraine in 1994 to support the territorial integrity of Ukraine; not to use armed force against Ukraine."
The Foreign Secretary William Hague, US Secretary of State John Kerry and the interim Foreign Minister of Ukraine, Andriy Deshchytsia, met in Paris earlier today as parties to the Budapest memorandum. The memorandum committed those countries to “refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of Ukraine” in return for Ukraine giving up its nuclear weapons. Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, was invited but didn’t attend.
A spokesperson said: "Ahead of tomorrow’s European Council, the Prime Minister spoke to President Obama earlier today to discuss the situation in Ukraine. They reiterated their grave concern over Russia’s clear violation of Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity and agreed that the international community should continue to work together to de-escalate the situation and to deter any further Russian action."
Speaking after the meeting, he said: "Well it’s too early to say that a lot of progress has been made. We came here, as you know, to try to make sure that Russia and Ukraine are engaged in talking to each other and negotiating with each other in a dialogue with each other and with other nations."
He said: "The territorial integrity of an independent nation has been violated. The sovereignty of one of the EU’s neighbours has been blatantly swept aside. The aspirations of the Ukrainian people - to live in a country free from corruption and free to chart its own future - are being crushed. And Russia has acted in flagrant breach of international law. This matters to people in Britain because we depend on a world where countries obey the rules."
UK experts in financial intelligence, money laundering and tracing criminal assets have travelled to Kyiv to help the Ukrainian government recover misappropriated assets. The National Crime Agency led task force will be working with the Ukrainian authorities to assess the scope and scale of investigations into misappropriated assets and will be identifying the best way for the UK to assist with any such investigations. The NCA team will also identify any immediate impact the situation has on the UK.
A spokesperson said: "Earlier this afternoon, the Prime Minister and President Obama talked about Ukraine again. They discussed events of recent days, including the situation on the ground in Crimea and the rest of the Ukraine, the outcome of the European Council and the US measures. They agreed that there is still an opportunity for Russia to resolve the situation diplomatically by engaging in direct talks with the Ukrainians, returning Russian troops to their bases in Crimea and working with the rest of the international community to support free and fair elections in Ukraine in May. We should all work together to persuade President Putin to choose this diplomatic path out of the crisis. Both the Prime Minister and the President firmly believe that the proposed referendum in Crimea would be illegal and that any attempt to legitimise it would result in further consequences for Russia. The Prime Minister has also spoken to the Canadian Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, about the situation. They both agreed that President Putin still had the opportunity to de-escalate the situation. They also discussed the need for the International Monetary Fund to lead on a package of financial assistance to the Ukrainian government to help provide economic stability in the months ahead and to ensure that the new Ukraine government implements the necessary economic reforms."
A spokespersons said: "The Prime Minister called President Putin this morning to urge him to de-escalate the situation in Ukraine and to support the formation of a contact group that could lead to direct talks between the governments of Russia and Ukraine."
A spokesperson said: "Their discussions focused on the situation in Ukraine, following on from last week’s European Council. They both agreed that the priority is to de-escalate the situation and to get Russia to engage in a contact group as swiftly as possible. They reiterated their view that the proposed referendum in Crimea would be illegal and that any attempt by Russia to legitimise the result would result in further consequences. They also agreed that we must keep working to support the Ukraine government, including identifying how the international community can help to stabilise the economic situation."
He said: "Our very strong concern about what has happened - which is the clear violation of the independence, of the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of Ukraine. We have discussed the work that is now going on diplomatically. Ukraine and Poland are both an important part of this, to try to make sure there is de-escalation; provocations are avoided, flashpoints are avoided. We continue to work with our European partners and with the United States to try to make sure that there is an international contact group or coordination group and that Russia and Ukraine are in direct contact and negotiation with each other. This, in the coming days, remains a vital priority."
He said: "This European Council sent a clear and united message to Russia that its actions are in flagrant breach of international law and will incur consequences."
We, the leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission, call on the Russian Federation to cease all efforts to change the status of Crimea contrary to Ukrainian law and in violation of international law. We call on the Russian Federation to immediately halt actions supporting a referendum on the territory of Crimea regarding its status, in direct violation of the Constitution of Ukraine.
He said: It is deeply disappointing that today’s talks did not produce the diplomatic breakthrough which Secretary Kerry worked tirelessly to achieve and which it was in Russia’s power to ensure. I regret the fact that Russia has refused to take this opportunity to change course, and is pressing ahead with plans to support an illegal, unconstitutional and illegitimate referendum in Crimea on Sunday."
William Hague said: "These talks in London this morning are a vital moment in what is clearly the most serious crisis in Europe in the 21st century so far, and we have welcomed Secretary Kerry and Foreign Minister Lavrov to London this morning. The Prime Minister and I had breakfast with Secretary Kerry, and I’ve also had a meeting with Foreign Minister Lavrov and we’ve offered them any assistance and support they need through the day. This is an urgent moment in this crisis. It’s urgent for two reasons: firstly, because it’s a tense and dangerous situation between Russia and Ukraine. There have been many military deployments, obviously, by Russia, particularly in the Crimea, and that has created a situation of great tension."
A spokesperson said: "The Prime Minister called President Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan this morning to discuss the situation in Ukraine. They both agreed on the importance of finding a diplomatic solution to the crisis. The Prime Minister underlined the need for the Russians to engage in direct talks with the Ukrainian government and emphasised that Sunday’s referendum in Crimea is illegal and consequently any result should be not recognised by the international community."
He said: "I condemn the fact that this referendum has taken place, in breach of the Ukrainian constitution and in defiance of calls by the international community for restraint. Nothing in the way that the referendum has been conducted should convince anyone that it is a legitimate exercise."
The Foreign Secretary today attended a meeting of the EU Foreign Ministers in Brussels where sanctions were agreed on individuals from Russia and Crimea. Asset freezes and visa bans will be imposed on 21 people associated with the decisions that Russia has made about Crimea, including members of the armed forces and in the Parliament. These measures are in direct response to threats to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity by officials in Crimea and Russia.
He said: "The UK condemns in the strongest terms Russia’s flagrant disregard of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. For the UK and her allies the Crimea remains part of Ukraine. We are witnessing a clear attempt to pave the way for the annexation of part of the sovereign territory of an independent European state, through military force and an illegal and illegitimate referendum."
The Prime Minister said: "The steps taken by President Putin today to attempt to annex Crimea to Russia are in flagrant breach of international law and send a chilling message across the continent of Europe."
The Foreign Secretary spoke in Parliament about the referendum in Crimea and preparations for further EU sanctions on Russia.
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