Putin tells Obama Russia has right to protect interests in Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin told US President Barack Obama by telephone that Moscow reserves the right to protect its interests and those of Russian speakers in Ukraine, the Kremlin said.
The Kremlin said Obama had expressed concern about the possibility of Russian military intervention in Ukraine. "In response to the concern shown by Obama about the plans for the possible use of Russia's armed forces on the territory of Ukraine, Putin drew attention to the provocative, criminal actions by ultra-nationalists, in essence encouraged by the current authorities in Kiev," the statement said. (Reuters)
