Key talks to be held between Russia and US

US Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will meet to discuss the unfolding situation in Crimea, Russia’s military movements and the future of Russians in Ukraine.

The US called Moscow’s deployment of troops to the Crimea region ‘an act of aggression’, a claim that the Kremlin denies, saying that Russian troops from the Black Sea fleet are in their normal positions in Russian naval bases in the area.

Both sides have given indications that they would prefer dialogue to any other, more drastic actions.

Warnings from Russia, that it would cross Ukrainian borders to protect Russian citizens, earlier this week triggered condemnation. Nato chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen called Russia’s actions a violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Nato and Russia have also scheduled talks in Brussels.