US Secretary of State John F Kerry today condemned Russia's intervention in Ukraine and said Moscow appears to be seeking a "pretext for being able to invade further."
"I think it's is clear that Russia has been working hard to create a pretext for being able to invade further," said Kerry, who is currently on a trip to Ukraine's capital Kiev.
"Together, the international community has condemned Russia's violation of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine. We've condemned their intervention in Crimea. And we are calling for a de-escalation of the situation and international monitors that can go into the country right away," he said.
He said said that there is no evidence to support the Russian claims that they had to intervene in Crimea because the Russian speaking population was in danger.
"Not a single piece of credible evidence supports any one of these claims (by Russia on Ukraine)...None," said Kerry.
Coming up strongly against the Russia's action, Kerry said the Russian government wants people to believe that the Ukraine government somehow is illegitimate or led by extremists.
"The Russian government would also have you believe that the calm and friendly streets, one of which I walked down but many of which I just drove through, that somehow these streets of Kiev are actually dangerous -- ignoring the reality that there has been no surge in crime, no surge in looting, no political retribution here," he said.
Kerry said there is a better way for Russia to pursue its legitimate interests in Ukraine.
"If you were legitimately worried about some of your citizens, then go to the government. Talk to them about it. Go to the UN. Raise the issue in the Security Council.
"There are countless outlets that an organised, structured, decent world has struggled to put together to resolve these differences so we don't see a nation unilaterally invade another nation," he said.
