DHAKA: Russia`s leaders are refusing all negotiations with their Ukrainian counterparts, Ukraine`s acting President Oleksandr Turchynov has said.

Turchynov told that Ukraine would not intervene militarily in Crimea, even though a secession referendum there was a "sham".

Meanwhile interim Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk is travelling to the US to meet President Barack Obama.

On Thursday he is due to address the UN Security Council in New York.
`A provocation`

"We cannot launch a military operation in Crimea, as we would expose the eastern border [close to Russia] and Ukraine would not be protected," Mr Turchynov told.

He said that Sunday`s referendum in Crimea - in which people on the peninsula will decide whether or not to become part of Russia - was "a provocation" that would be boycotted by most people.

"The Russian forces don`t intend to hold a referendum, they`re just going to falsify the results," he said.

The president said that at the same time the Russian government was refusing to enter into any dialogue with Ukraine.

"Unfortunately, for now Russia is rejecting a diplomatic solution to the conflict," he told.


"They are refusing all contact at foreign ministry and top government level."

Mr Turchynov earlier on Tuesday called for the creation of a national guard to defend the country and provide support to just 6,000 troops who are combat-ready.

He said that the force would comprise volunteers with military experience who would be on guard against external and internal aggression.

Source: BBC
BDST: 1000 HRS, MAR 12, 2014