he -- day for lavrov. he had talks with his paris counterpart, try and halt any military operations in the east of ukraine. at risk, lavrov said are these four-party talks that it's hoped will get underway in geneva on thursday. >>> meanwhile the white house has said it's concerned about russia's provocative actions in ukraine. it's also criticized moscow when one of its fighter jets flew close to are a ship on the black sea. russia has called this a pr provocative and unprofessional act. what more do we know about this incident? >> apparently the russian fighter jet apparently came as close as a thousand yards away and as high or as low as 500 feet across the u.s.s. donald cook. the cook is a destroyer with a full complement of fighter missiles as its arsenals. there was no issue with the ship or the crew many but are violations fs understanding and between the u.s. and russian militaries. this was an incident that took place on saturday evening while the donald cook was in international waters in the bla

so, comments from sergei lavrov here in beijing. >> bucket -- take us to the birth -- the importancef the economic and political ties between china and moscow. >> lavrov says it paves the way for putin to visit your later. they want closer ties financially and economically. they are working on a gas bill pipeline that will be finished in 2018, that is something they are looking to finalize the spring and that could help export the market to china, a huge amount of energy that russia aims to deliver to china, and also, russian officials have talked about china's investment crimea,e to invest in and in russia as well. paveds why lavrov really the way for political and economical deals that may be enforced later this spring. >> thank you very much, shannon, reporting from beijing. next, in the u.s., one year ago today the country was hit by a devastating attack in boston, at the finish line of the boston marathon. 2 pressure cooker bombs went off, killing three people and injuring 260, but one year later the investigation is still underway. 10:03 in the afternoon on the april, there was

lavrov said to other parties in what they have to say about how they unfolded. as peter was saying, the significance here is the russian exception of the osce. and hopefully there will no longer be these two competing narratives of what is going on in ukraine, and what is going on with the unrest. and there will be a set of outside eyes, the organization for security and cooperation in europe, and the hundreds deployed across ukraine will be the ashters of what's going on. so there won't be these accusations and counter accusations flying from brussels to washington all the time. that was the light at the end of the tunnel. and sergei lov sergei lavrov weo the groups, the deposing of victor yanokovych, proposing that the groups at the time, the people on the side of the protesters in independence square, he said they should be disarmed because part of the russian narrative has been there are armed groups in the western ukraine. and they are a threat to the russian speakers in the east. and un said that that has not been the case, but they hope that they will be

lavrov went on to say it is in the interest of russia that ukraine remain stable. that only if all the people in the country, talking about the people in the east the russian speakers there are treated equally. and he had this message to the u.s. and to the eu: >> it should be recalled that violence in kiev's independence square which has resulted in dozens upon dozens of deaths was branded a democracy. while the peacefu peaceful protn the are southeast are considered terrorism. this is hypocrisy beyond any limits and i really hope we'll hear an honest and coherent reaction from our western partners. >> it's been a busy day for lavrov. he had talks with the french foreign minister in paris, calling on what they could to try and halt any military operations in the east of ukraine, at risk lavrov said are these four party talks that it's hoped will get underway in geneva on thursday. >> peter sharp reporting for us. >>> enough evidence to file hate crimes charges against 73-year-old fraser glen cross, but he was not informally charged just yet. three people were kill

and now we're hearing from the ukrainian acting leader, we're hearing from sergey lavrov, the russian foreign minister. moscow is insisting it isn't behind the unrest in eastern ukraine, but ukraine and the west don't believe them. a lot of new details this morning. sort through it for us. >> reporter: well, sergey lavrov has just been making various statements, accusing the west of hypocrisy in this, saying that russia does not want to destabilize ukraine, that it's not in its interests to see the situation there unravel further, and really, that the question should be handed over to the ukrainian people about how they want to devise their future. russia's saying that the west really needs to take responsibility for any calls to use force against their own people. now, russia considers the government in kiev to be illegitimate. they characterize them as neo-nazis and fascists, and that kind of language hasn't changed. but you know, what we've seen from russia over the last few weeks is a shift, really, from what they were saying, which was that they could intervene militarily, should

but it was sergei lavrov who categorially denied they were taking part in the destabilization in easternkraine. he said we have no agent there is. we have no intelligence and no troops. basically saying the west don't really get it. but the people of ukraine of eastern ukraine, those russian speakers, they have their own point of view, protests and grievances, and they're carrying out their own demonstrations in the government of kiev in pro russia support. basically lavrov said it's in russia's interest for ukraine to be stable, united as long as all the people are treated equally referring to the eastern russian speakers. he also said that--called on had a message for the u.s. and e.u. as this crisis continues to worsen. >> we need an honest and coherent reaction from the west without any double standards and without shifting blame to moscow. they didn't listen to the people in southern and eastern ukraine, now they're using military force to put down the protests. i think it's very dangerous and those people planning to do so should be punished. >> well, lavrov, it's been a busy day f

kerry and lavrov spoke by phone twice on wednesday. but they failed to bridge the gap in their views. the u.s. has accused russian agents and special forces of being behind the unrest in ukraine. russia has been calling for greater autonomy for ethnic russians. pro-russian residents in donetsk and luhansk are occupying the buildings used by the provin i shall assembly and security forces. the interim government is threatening to forcefully remove protesters. u.s. and russian negotiators plan to hold talks next week with their counterparticipas fre ukraine and european union to seek a resolution to the crisis. the crisis in crimea has spread to eastern ukraine where protesters are occupying government buildings and demanding the region secede from ukraine. the situation has deepened the divide between russia and the u.s. and europe. western leaders are calling russians move in cry mooe ya illegal. russia counters a russian nations helped them achieve independence. >> reporter: president putin has justified russia's annexation of crimea

the russian foreign minister sergey lavrov said the big concern now is that all of this will add up to basically the provocation that the u.s. fears russia has been waiting for in

officials released a statement saying sergei lavrov stressed the need for the the military to cease operations against the pro-russian separatists in the eastern part of the country. those groups have seized land and government buildings and they refuse to leave. meanwhile ukraine's prime minister says russian military aircraft crossed into and violated ukrainian airspace last night. russia has denied violating the airspace. >>> back in this country, the nra finds itself in a dogfight this year. it's being challenged by a new antigun lobby backed by billionaire michael bloomberg. but the nra and about 70,000 supporters meeting in indianapolis this weekend aren't flinching. executive director pierre says the organization faces a do or die challenge. >> we trust in our freedom, and

today he spoke with sergei lavrov. what did kerry and lavrov talk about, mike?rst of all this situation is exactly what president obama and secretary kerry and other officials have been warning about for weeks, a pretext of provocate provocateurs, and the troops that president obama has talked about repeatedly massed on the ukrainian boarder, could come spilling over and it would be crimea all over again. jay carney said that these instigators were not local, there is evidence they had been paid, and jen reported on that call between john kerry and sergei lavrov, and here is how she described the conversation. >> he noted that ukrainian government leaders are en route to all of these cities to try to negotiate evacuation of government buildings and deescalation of public tensions. he called on russia to disavow the acts of provocateurs and called on all parties to refrain from agitation in ukraine. >> top officials from vladimir putin to the minister of defense to sergei lavrov have assured american officials that they have no intention of sending troops into uk

sergei lavrov claimed the fighters were unarmed civilians. sergei lavrov insisted that russia had no forces in ukraine and was not trying to manipulate benefit. >> officials released a series of pictures, including these, showing a special forces soldier, who seemed identical to this soldier in ukraine. >> the u.s. is monitor, according to jay carney, and threatened russia with more sanctions. david rhode joins us, an investigative reporter for roit jers and a 2-time pulitzer prize, who wrote about the unhappy relations between russia and ukraine. how the u.s. made the putin problem worse. i'll get to that in a minute. first the pictures - the white house believes these are russian special forces in ukraine. we know sergei lavrov denies it. he and vladimir putin denied there were special forces in crimea. they have since admitted it. is there doubt at this point that the forces are russian and they are trying to destabilize the situation in the east. >> i think there's no doubt that russia is trying to destabilize the relations in the east. t

. >> we keep seeing secretary kerry meet with lavrov. influence may be negligable right now. he's really not a major player. >> i think you have to -- it's hard to say it's not a damaged relationship between kerry and lavrov. we saw them working closely on the deal to get chemical weapons out of syria. that was a kerry/lavrov association. you've seen them work on iran and other issues. kerry has had a lot of interaction with him, including the geneva agreement three or four days ago which has gone nowhere the trust has to be affected not just in that relationship but the broader relationship and there are real questions about whether he has power and influence with president putin. >> when you were chairman of the joint chiefs and top men at the pentagon, the u.s. military to military relationship was very decent. >> it was really good to the point that they were sending noncommissioned officers to school in europe, which was just unheard of. i don't know if that is still going on, i would guess probably not given where the state of rela

we'll hear from the russian foreign minister, sergei lavrov. we'll bring you that live when it happens. >> plenty more ahead on al jazeera. including... >> illegal fishing - one day the people of guinea passau will no longer be able to fish in their waters. >> guinea passau's fish stocks are being depleted by foreign trawlers. >>> and - it's banned, illegal, but the pakistan black market gambling industry is doing a roaring trade. >>> hello again, the top stories this hour on al jazeera. the president of south korea compared the actions of the captain and crew to an act of murder. four crew members have been arrested as divers retrieved bodies from the wreckage. more than 200 are missing. >>> opposition activists in syria for the latest barrel bomb attacks in aleppo kill 50 people. government forces have been dropping barrel bombs on rebel held areas in the city in an intense campaign that began in september. u.s. vice president joe biden is due to arrive in ukraine. forensic experts investigate a shooting in slovyansk. three were gunned down a

in my conversation yesterday with foreign minister lavrov, we agreed to meet soon in europe. next week. with ukraine, and our european partners, to discuss de-escalation -- de-escalation, demobilization, inclusivity, support for elections, and constitutional reform. and it is not in our judgment a small matter that russia has agreed to sit in this four-party status with ukraine at the table in an effort to try to forge the road ahead. between now and then we have made it clear that russia needs to take concrete steps to disavow separatist actions in eastern ukraine. pull back its forces outside the country which they say they have begun to do with the movement of one battalion and demonstrate that they are prepared to come to these discussions to do what is necessary to de-escalate. so russia has a choice. to work with the international community to help build an independent ukraine that could be a bridge between east and west. not the object of a tug-of-war. that could meet the hopes and aspirations of all ukrainians. or they could face greater isolation and pay the costs fo

. >> russia's foreign minister sergei lavrov speaking out about the decision to send the troops in to east. warning military deployments would derail the talks planned in geneva. >> translator: we are sure the attempt to resolve the situation through force is unacceptable, and the key to settling the crisis is to begin working as soon as possible on real constitutional reform. >> lavrov criticizing the deployment, but he says the dialogue is a step in the right direction. >>> now prosecutors have finished their cross-examination of oscar pistorius. he was asked to recount every last detail of his moments with his girlfriend before he shot and killed her on valentine's day last year. >> once again we shouldn't blame you for the fact that you shot her? >> [ inaudible ]. >> who should we blame then? we should blame somebody or something. who should be blamed? >> i'm not sure my lady. >> pistorius saying he believed she was an intruder when he shot and killed her. he faces life in prison if convicted >> the 73-year-old man accused in the shooting of three people in kansas city could be ch

lavrov said ukrainians are waging a war on their own people.lled this a bloody crime and those that push the army to do that will pay, he said. i'm sure, and they'll face justice. he added russia is decommitted to deescalating in ukraine but will not agree to unilateral demands. east of ukraine remains divided. bbc natalie has been traveling around eastern ukraine. when she was many in donetsk, i spoke to her about where she had been in the southeast of the country close to mariupol, which is very close to russia. i asked what she discovered there in that port. >> reporter: well we've been trying to folsom of the reports that are constantly popping up on twitter and social media networks. yesterday it all started in the city. we were getting reports with the ukrainian antiterrorist operation. we are also getting reports from other place as as well. the important thing to remember is this is not about military maneuvers here. it's a massive information war being forced watching russian tv incredible. some of the leads that never ma materialize.

sergei lavrov made it very, very clear and he always has and so has putin that they reserve the rightintervene in ukraine to protect the rights of the russian-speaking citizens there. quote, russian citizens being attacked is an attack against the russian federation. and he warned there was a pressi pressi pressing -- press dense for that. a previous attack lead almost immediately to a war with georgia. lavrov particularly firm and forthright in his comments about the meeting yesterday between the vice president joe biden and -- and the kiev interim government. he said that it's pretty clear now that in his words, the u.s. is now running the whole show. i think relations now between the u.s. and russia have hit a post cold war low, and they don't seem to be talking to each other. they just seem to be talking at each other. >> indeed, and with that in mind, what is the mood on moscow's streets? what are people saying about this? are they worried? >> i think they are pretty sang win actually, you just have to look at putin's ratings, 80% approval rating the last time they carried out a

there are worries, increasingly widespread worries, that sergei lavrov, the russian foreign minister,ot actually speak for anyone more than himself, that he may look like a diplomat but his diplomatic actions don't actually bind russia as a nation. there are real questions right now as to whether anyone but vladimir putin speaks for vladimir putin and now that he's speaking in four-hour bursts on russian television, can we see anybody else in russian government as binding russia -- as binding the russian president by anything that anybody else signs? so sergei lavrov signing on for this agreement on behalf of russia, on paper this did look like a breakthrough toward de-escalation of this very scary situation in eastern ukraine. but the white house made clear today that that breakthrough might just be on paper. >> russia right now still has its forces amassed along the ukrainian-russian border as a gesture of intimidation, and it is our belief and not ours alone but i think broad portions of the international community believe that russia's hand is in the disruptions and chaos that we'

is right to try to force lavrov, the russian foreign minister to sit down with the ukrainians because the russians haven't recognized this interim ukrainian government and if they can begin these negotiations in a serious way, if that's gonna happen, it will force the russians to accept legitimacy of these people in ukraine, which is a good thing for the u.s. the peril and danger for the u.s. and ukraine is that russia's gonna insist on a program that would effectively neutralize the ukrainian government and we can't let that happen. the u.s. leverage here is on serious sectoral and financial sanctions. it's not on just sanctioning individuals in russia, which is what the administration is talking about. it would be far preferable to see the u.s. and europe announce right now the toughest possible sanctions that might you can the only thing that wakes up vladimir putin and gets his attention and maybe might put a check on what he is doing eastern ukraine. but we don't see that type of united action from the united states and europe, unfortunately. >> the u.s. says they are calibrating

lavrov had to listen to the fact that the u.s. probably are considering further sanctions against russia. russia would further move to destabilize the situation in ukraine. they are discussing further talks between the u.s. and russia, ukraine, and the european union. they are not sure if that is really going to happen. that russia is coordinating all of these separatist activists, that they are in fact not ukrainians? >> cannot argue with the fact that there is some discontent in eastern ukraine about the general situation in ukraine, but there are signs that there is a russian hand in all of this , even though there is not absolute proof. the scenario that is being played out really is very similar to what happened in crimea. it is accompanied once again by a lot of pro-kremlin propaganda. that is what people in ukraine are also watching in the east. it is a very concerning situation for ukraine. >> indeed. thank you very much for that update. >> "i was simply trying to protect reeva." those were the words of oscar pistorius as

secretary of state john kerry, russian foreign minister lavrov, and ukraine's foreign minister.nouncement comes as pro-russia protesters clash with police in several eastern ukrainian cities. >>> the world's number-one automaker is recalling more than six million vehicles. toyota says the recall is to fix problems with steering, wiring harnesses, and seat railings. the recall affects 27 models. the japanese automaker says it's not aware of any accidents relating to the faults. >>> as we've been mentioning, oscar pistorius expected back on the witness stand any moment in a south african courtroom. he's due to resume his testimony in his own defense at this ongoing murder trial. pistorius admits he shot and killed his girlfriend, reeva steenka steenkamp, in february of last year, but claims he mistook her for an intruder. senior citizen legal analyst kelly phelps has been following the trial since day one. she joins us from outside the courtroom. kelly, how do you read his emotional state? it it show him as someone -- does it show him as someone who can't control his emotions, or

you have sergei lavrov saying it is not us.here is pro-russian sentiment on the ground, how does it all fit together? >> well, it doesn't actually, it is a mess. and we have a war of words involving all four of those areas. and i suppose the day, tuesday began with very, very harsh words from the kremlin and from the ministry of foreign affairs, urging kiev not to reinforce the southeast of ukraine with special forces or troops. that could bring about a civil war and they alleged a presence of what was 150 american mercenaries. but there has been a slightly more -- i guess more positive, encouraging note from lavrov a couple of hours ago when he said that russia is prepared to consider the possibility -- the possibility of engaging in four-way talks to try to resolve the ukrainian crisis. that would involve talks between ukraine, russia, the eu and of course the u.s. now this was originally floated on march 30th when lavrov and kerry met in paris and was -- was talked about again yesterday when -- when they had another meeting.

like you heard lavrov say it's a load of nonassistance. very have also been, in another direction, saying that they really encourage signs, and there have been signs that kiev reached out to the eastern ukrainians and negotiate grievances, let them have a referendum on federalization. they have warned repeatedly that any use of force could trigger civil war in ukraine, and it would derail any hope for a negotiated settlement, especially the meeting coming up on thursday, if the operation goes on as it seems to be gathering steam. if if continues, if it becomes bloody, the russians are saying the talks are off. >> let me get a wider question from you here. what is russia's end game here. moscow has already annexed crimea. there are fears, of course, it will take eastern ukraine without full-scale invasion, what does putin want, and how far is he prepared to go, do you think? >> well, this is the $64 question, and we don't know, but the russians have published a roadmap for ukraine, which outlines their demands, what kind of ukraine they wil

russian foreign minister sergey lavrov denies his country is involved in the unrest. he's urging ukraine's interim government to work toward giving special authority to the regions. lavrov and kerry will discuss the situation next week when they meet with representatives of the eu and ukraine. the four parties haven't sat down together since the crisis began. it's clear they need to find a way forward. fast. craig dale, hq world. >>> now, toyota is again recalling some of its products. ron madison joins me with the details. >> this is just the latest setback for the automaker, which has issued a several major recalls in the past recent months, shery. executives there announcing that they are recalling more than 6 million vehicles worldwide. the automaker will recall 27 models such as its subexact cars. also included is the subaru tressia which toyota produces. the recall will amount to 6.39 million vehicles. they were made between october 2004 and august, 2013. officials at the transport ministry say they found five different defects. they pointed out problems with th

lavrov was in china.e says russia has got nothing to do with the unrest in ukraine. >> translator: you can't send tanks against your people and at the same time hold talks. the use of force will sabotage the talks planned in geneva later this week. they make up lies to justify their plans. they are spreading lies that russia organized it all. i have never heard such nonsense. it is to refuse one's own people the right to protest. >> joining us now from moscow. we need to go back an hour or two to a conversation between the u.s. president and russian president described as frank. which means it was a furious conversation between the two. >> yeah, well, there's an awful lot of what is being called diplomacy going on. absolutely everybody is weighing in. and the lines between the two sides seem to be hardening and widening. really they are talking at cross purposes. the russians insisting as you heard lavrov say we have absolutely nothing to do with the unrest in eastern ukraine, it's all a domestic affair.

i noticed responses from lavrov. this is a difficult situation. if the people causing the lawlessness had yet to be answered. the question of who these people actually were. >> that's right. there's a dispute between west and russia as to who the troublemakers are in this crisis. comments from the foreign ministry in moscow, a strong and stark really. he's been saying ukraine really needs to play its part. authorities in kiev i should say need to play their part resolving the crisis. he says they were the ones that violated the talks in geneva. regarding the tension on the ground, there's real disagreement. the fact russia would use pro russian separatists in the country to get them to leave the buildings it wants them to leave. russia says it doesn't have control over that leverage. there's more and more stalemate on the ground. >> vladimir putin looking at the legislation saying if you can speak russian you can become russian if in ukraine. just enough. he's changing it just enough to keep the tensions simmering. >> yes, that's right. this is a

foreign minister sergey lavrov says the allegation of russian involvement is a lie and nonsense. he said in beijing that the use of force will sabotage diplomatic discussions. lavrov is scheduled to meet with senior officials from the u.s., the eu and ukraine on thursday in geneva. leaders in moscow have said they reserve the right to protect ethnic russians in eastern ukraine. thousands of russian troops are stationed on the border. nato secretary-general says they must be pulled back. >> russia should stop being part of the problem, and start being part of the solution. >> reporter: western leaders have imposed various sanctions on russian officials. they say expect more. >> the longer it reaches the independence and sovereignty of ukraine, the heavier the price it will pay. >> reporter: but these pro-russian activists don't seem to be swayed by threats. some say war has been declared against them, and that ukrainian forces had their way, all signs suggest they're preparing to defend themselves. craig dale, nhk world. >>> thanks for that report, craig. >>> more than 1,000 demon

in my conversation yesterday with foreign minister lavrov, we agreed to meet soon in europe. next week. with ukraine, and our european partners, to discuss de-escalation -- de-escalation, demobilization, inclusivity, support for elections, and constitutional reform. and it is not in our judgment a small matter that russia has agreed to sit in this four-party status with ukraine at the table in an effort to try to forge the road ahead. between now and then we have made it clear that russia needs to take concrete steps to disavow separatist actions in eastern ukraine. pull back its forces outside the country which they say they have begun to do with the movement of one battalion and demonstrate that they are prepared to come to these discussions to do what is necessary to de-escalate. so russia has a choice. to work with the international community to help build an independent ukraine that could be a bridge between east and west. not the object of a tug-of-war. that could meet the hopes and aspirations of all ukrainians. or they could face greater isolation and pay the costs fo

secretary kerry told foreign minister lavrov it needs to stop. russia to disavow these type of actions. secretary kerry trying to get a meeting together of the ukrainian foreign minister and russian foreign minister, himself, in a couple weeks. additional sanctions on russia could be in the offing. u.s. preparing those right now because they think this cannot stand and don't want russia to go any further into eastern ukraine. they also know at the ukrainians need to step up here and make themselves a harder target, wolf. stronger the country they are, the less enthusiastic president putin might be about going in. >> getti intin intin inting hin tougher sanctions might include? >> you heard him say there could be tougher sanctions in the offing, could be sectoral sanctions, energy sanctions, financial sanctions. i don't think the u.s. is really ready to go that far, but they could have near-term measures, some additional individuals that could be listed on these executive orders, freezing of assets, that type of stuff. tougher measures in the offi

. >> reporter: leaflets shadow the agreement between kerry and foreign minister lavrov to deescalate calling for pro-russian protesters to leave public buildings they have occupied and the government to grant them amnesty. president obama warned, however, that words must be matched with followthrough by russia and its supporters on the ground inside ukraine. >> we have put in place additional consequences that we can impose on the russians if we do not see actual improvement of the situation on the ground. we have to be prepared to potentially respond to what continue to be efforts of interference by the russians in eastern and southern ukraine. [ gunfire ] >> reporter: so far that progress is nowhere to be found. three people were killed as ukrainian forces attempted to retake one city. today russian president vladimir putin claimed the trite send russian forces inside ukraine if he decides. >> translator: i can remind you that russia's federation council granted the president the right to used armed forces in ukraine. i very much hope i will not have to use that right. >> reporter:

that also minister lavrov for their willing work in the course of today. their readiness to engage in constructive dialogue. we worked hard and we worked in good faith in order to try to narrow. what are real differences some of them significant. and if i new way forward for the people of ukraine. that helps them in achieving their aspiration to live in a stable peaceful and unified democracy. as recent events in eastern ukraine make clearer. they need our support now than they did it more than ever. ukraine has shown admirable. sometimes i think even remarkable restraint. in the face of considerable challenge. but no one should expect the leaders of the sovereign state. to always stand by passively. while order. this threat. the order. ukraine has been threatened in recent days. our most urgent task is to de escalate the situation in ukraine. so let me just outlined where we are in some additional concrete steps that we have agreed to take in the course of the discussions today. in order to de escalate tensions and restore security. for all ukrainians. th

. >>> some tough talk from russian foreign minister sergei lavrov says moscow will defend its citizens from attack. >> the warning comes as u.s. troops are in poland. chief u.s. foreign correspondent jim sciutto has more. >> reporter: u.s. troops landing in eastern europe counter the threat from russia. these pair a troopers from the 173rd airborne are the first of 600 soldiers deployed for exercises in poland, latvia, lithuania, and estonia. all nato allies, all nervous about where russia could strike next. and it could be here, tens of thousands of russian troops conducting their conducting their ownwn exercise today just across the border from eastern ukraine. russia minister sergei lavrov appeared to lay the rhetorical groundwork for russia to invade saying russian citizens in the ukraine are under threat. >> i don't see any other way but to respond to protect russian law. >> his comments sparked buittal from washington. >> many claims are ludicrous and they're not based in fact of what is happening on the ground. >> reporter: on the ground the situation is becoming more violent. a

secretary of state john kerry repeatedly warned the russian counterpart lavrov that russia risks more sanctions if the military does not pull back troops and now that u.s. troops are vocal about blaming did government in moscow of backing and coordinating the attacks, kerry told lavrov by phone if they don't stop there will be additional consequences likely in the form of increased sanctions but the white house has yet to issue its reaction to this new news of the u.n. security council meeting tonight but the administration is stepping up the actions as kerry is headed to geneva to meet thursday with lavrov personally and leaders of the united nations to try to hammer out a diplomatic solution. vice president biden will go to kiev to meet with the government leaders to assist the preparations for may elections and he'll also provide council to ukraine trying to resist what they see as sabotage from russia in the efforts, don. >> all right. erin, thank you very much. we appreciate that. we'll have more on the breaking news coming up here on cnn. also our panel of experts to weigh in on

at a news conference after sergei lavrov said the differences were internal and the country needed to be left alone to deal with the situation. >> translator: interference into ukrainian internal affairs should be stopped. but what we see happening is that the west has taken the role of somebody deciding the fate of that country. meanwhile, the current authorities in ukraine do not show themselves as very independent. >> russia's foreign minister sergei lavrov there. medical teams dealing with ebola in west africa are trying to confirm whether it has spread to a new country, mali. nearly 90 people have died in neighboring guinea and at least six in liberia. there are more suspected cases in sierra leon and gambia. i have been joined by ibrahima. this deadly virus seems to be spreading. >> it has not been confirmed yet. but there are signs. fever is one of the signs. and the bleeding is the other sign. that hasn't been seen yet. they are still putting these people in isolation and under control of medical teams. but you're right. this is terrible news for people in that area. there are

meanwhile russian foreign minister sergei lavrov has accused ukraine of crudely violating an accord reached in the last week after a shootout in eastern ukraine involving pro russian separatists the russian foreign ministry has blamed the ukrainian far right party property sector russian media showed pictures of a perfectly intact the business content to leave your cropping sector that was purportedly found at the scene you should go to meet her until cards envelopes and said this was evidence the group was behind the attack. twitter users have poked fun at the accusations posting pictures of various popular figures with the profits to their business card at least thirty six thousand runners taking part in the one hundred and eighteen boston marathon year after two homemade bombs were detonated just prior to the fishing line killing three people and injuring two hundred and sixty four. thousands of spectators lined the twenty six point two mile course in good when your teacher and participates over five thousand of whom were forced to abandon last year. kenya's read it you two won the women

this is lavrov, kerry.tly, the ukrainian foreign minister, part of the government in kiev which the russians have not recognized to date. the fact you have lavrov and ukrainian foreign ministry around the table, that's potentially positive as well. this could actually be the end of the dialogue. if the escalation continues in the east of the country, there's going to be more violence, more thefts and it would be harder to bridge the gap between the russian side and the ukrainian side. very briefly, the ukrainians want the end of the terrorist-backed activity. they want the russians to withdraw from crimea. they want russian troops backing away from the border. there are 40,000 russian troops ostensively. it may be a preclude for some sort of invasion force. the russians are saying we want a federal structure. we don't want a small amount of autonomy. they may want to derail the april 25th elections. they say that as giving one presidential candidate, the mandate, the credibility to be in control of the whol

russian foreign minister sergei lavrov said those two and current ukrainian all parties to use force to suppress protests in the country's eastern regions should be held accountable. well the deadly yet the deadline robert i even went for prior russian activists to leave the government and police buildings. off to hide in the east of the country. and so far there's been no sign of the promised crackdown by kiev. that was meant to stop all monday morning. instead activists have occupied the more buildings continue to fall from grace will totally unpleasant ties with russia. the country in control of official buildings in around ten towns and cities. russia protest is false police offices out of their headquarters in for the town hall monday and activists are still hope to find buildings. it is the gaps. many protests to say they don't believe the key of all parties to act violently towards them. in central high school barricades and tents have been set up by people calling for a referendum on the region's future the current crisis comes up to the annexation of crimea following a refer

i talked to foreign minister lavrov yesterday, and also the director of general of the opcw. currently 54% of the chemical weapons are out of syria. and we have major shipments that are planned at two sites near damascus. they should take place in the next days, but there's a general sense that we are concerned about the slowdown, but we still believe we could be close to schedule -- on schedule or close to schedule, and we're pushing for that. and the russians have indicated they are prepared to continue to push and try to achieve that. they have an interest in trying to achieve it. so there are pluses and yes, there are minuses obviously. we don't have the luxury as a country of being you know -- you have got to deal at this point at one time or not. reagan dealt with go gore bah chov, it's the reality of the world -- >> i understand that. but such a deal would clearly violate the regime of the -- that has been set up, and i assume we need to make it very clear to the iranians and the russians that such a deal would be sanctionable -- >> we have made it clear to both sides

. >> clearly meant to play for the crowd for lavrov to play to the crowd.oreign minister. >> i think people should set their dvrs because i'm about to say jen socky is right about something. the reds lie. anybody who studies soviet history or recent russian history knows not true. overseas audiences but also the domestic audiences. this stings to the state department back on march 30th, kerry met lavrov. russia wants to support ukraine in its independence and ability to be able to make that transition as the russian troops are moving further into ukraine. not that long ago we would say okay, lavrov is giving us assurances we are feeling good about. this now is he calling us the boogie man. >> i think also deeply disturbing what is going none syria, putin was going to help us with the chemical weapons. now it turns out that chlorine is being used against civilians. at least that's what the state department said in the last 30 days or something against civilians. i think this is getting much more dangerous. >> and the state of u.s./russian relations right now

and this as just hours ago sergey lavrov said in an interview that, basically, the united states is using ukraine as a "pawn in a geopolitical game." the state department firing back at those comments. and now you have hundreds of u.s. troops landing in poland and the surrounding countries. i mean, it is -- the developments here. give us a sevents feelinse of t on the ground there now that you have u.s. troops not in ukraine but nearby. >> reporter: yeah, you're absolutely right, it's very significant and the situation here remains tense. the u.s. troops that are being deployed, it's only 600, and if you look at the broader picture, it seems a pretty lopsided thing. you have 600 u.s. troops on the one hand and 40,000 russian troops on the border with ukraine. however, that deployment is still very significant and it's hard to overstate how significant it is. look at nations poland on ukraine and russia's border, estonia. they've for years been calling for more u.s. involvement on the ground and for them, they believe every u.s. soldier is a deterrent against russia. it also does a lot to

he's echoing basically what sergey lavrov, the russian foreign minister was saying on wednesday. he said russian citizens being attacked is an attack against the entire russian federation. so escalating words here, russia still referencing the fact that it's still prepared to use military force if it feels it is necessary, and don't forget, along that border, there are 40,000 russian troops deployed. >> and peter, now we have u.s. troops arriving for military exercises in poland, more on their way. they're heading to estonia, latvia and lithuania, yesterday dutch fighters scrambling and rushing two russian military aircraft out of its air space. what is being said about these developments involving the west? >> well, i think moscow and the kremlin is very, very well well aware that those nato and the united states have both said that military option is ending the escalating crisis in ukraine is not going to get to that stage. what we're seeing now is calibrated deployment of american forces, just to give a bit of reassurance to poland and to the other eastern european countries o

the running to show you are very close with sergey lavrov also that ukraine's interim government pushing further with its military operation in the spotlight the geneva peace accord. surfing countries gather in south america to look at whether it's time to break america's stranglehold on the internet in the wake of the mass surveillance scandals. scaring scotland into staying former u.k. prime minister gordon brown warns fellow scots from voting against breaking away from britain in the crucial upcoming referendum. you're watching r.t. international first this hour russia's foreign minister has exclusively told r.t. that he believes washington is deeply involved in the standoff between kiev and protesters in eastern ukraine just some of what sergei lavrov had to say in his interview sophie shevardnadze. no the joe biden visit to this government that there is to ration was the clue with the extra fees again well it's quite telling that they chose the moment of vice president of the united states visit to the unknowns the resumption of the ration because the launching of this would be rati

. >> we heard from sergey lavrov, the foreign minister. the sticking point appears to be that the signed agreement on thursday in geneva last week calls on separatists to vacate the buildings and give up their weapons. what sergey lavrov is saying it is implicit in the agreement that kiev must first of all clear independence square, which was the focus of the revolution, it must get their supporters out of the illegally occupied buildings in kiev, and they should disarm the right sector, that's the right wing radical group. he said if that happens, then the leaders in the southeast of ukraine will follow suit, give up the buildings and undear their weapons. so you're getting one line there from lavrov putting at least something up. meanwhile, or rather sort of almost hysterical warning saying moscow is ready to start world war three. >> the situation in ukraine having an impact on the russian economy after being slapped with stricter rating on foreign occurrence, trim b. negative is the rating for russia, just above junk status. stay with

in the most terrible interpretation of this is that lavrov doesn't know what moscow is doing.the day before. >> julia, what does he say to himself when he sees these threats? >> he says, yeah, right. i don't think he sees barack obama as a serious threat. as for sergey lavrov, he's a very good messenger and skilled messenger of the putin line and that's to buy more time to put everybody at ease and to strike again. this is it what the people that i talk to in kiev were saying, is that in this calm, we know that moscow is regrouping and that it's about to strike again. >> what's the feeling there at the state departent, elise? >> reporter: well, wolf, they know that the russians could definitely put their influence, as susan rice said, on the russian separatists, the pro-russian separatists. but at the same time, they feel that this agreement is very favorable to russia. it not only stops sanctions in its tracks but it gives autonomy, constitutional reform. for him to effectively have control over eastern ukraine without having to invade. so they think that he has a lot of reas

then you have the russian perspective delivered by the foreign minister sergey lavrov saying that russia is doing nothing to stir up problems in ukraine. the problem there, according to the kremlin is that the rights of the russian speakers in that part of the country are not being respected and the only solution the russians see is to have a federalization of ukraine, increasing autonomy, something bordering on independence for the regions bordering russia in order that they might have an independent foreign policy of their own and align closer with the kremlin. >> that is nick spicier reporting from geneva. >> pro russian militias are flexing their muscles in eastern ukraine, seizion government buildings and taking control of ukrainian tanks and other combat vehicles. ukraine's military tried to remain control but quickly were forced to retreat. >> it's a cat and mouse game. we are at the exact same location where yesterday, 50 meters from where i'm standing were six armored vehicles that had been seized from the ukrainian paratroopers. they have disappeared this morning. we ask where