Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
William Hague has warned Russia that it faces long-term "isolation and stagnation" over
the crisis in Ukraine. The foreign secretary said it was time to
consider a "new state of relations" different to that of the past 20 years.
Writing in the Sunday Telegraph, he said the UK and its European allies would not "run
scared". His comments came amid continuing tensions,
with Russian troops taking control of one of the last big military bases in Crimea from
the Ukrainians. At least one person was injured in the assault
on Belbek air base, near Sevastopol, according to reports. It is now said to be under Russian
control. The Ukrainian region was formally annexed
by Russia on Friday. In other developments:
Several hundred unarmed protesters seized a Ukrainian naval base at Novofedorivka, western
Crimea Ukraine's warship Slavutych was seized by
Crimean "self-defence" units and Russian troops following a two-hour assault in Sevastopol,
a Ukrainian defence spokesman said 'Outrageous land grab'
Mr Hague accused Russia of "bullying" behaviour, which belongs to "a wholly different era".
This could include Russia being outside some international organisations and having less
influence over the rest of Europe, he said. "The illegal annexation of Crimea is an outrageous
land grab, and the referendum that preceded it was a mockery of democracy," wrote Mr Hague.
"Russia has invaded a fellow European nation, and used force to change its borders.
"This is the most serious risk to European security we have seen so far in the 21st Century.
"Vital principles are at stake, including the territorial integrity of European nations
and the right of democratic countries to choose their own future."
Russian troops have taken over control of Crimea following last month's overthrow of
Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych. The Kremlin said it acted to protect its "compatriots"
in Crimea from "fascists" moving in from mainland Ukraine.
Kiev denies the claim, accusing Moscow of "blatant lies" to justify the land grab.
Earlier this week, Mr Hague announced the UK was suspending all arms export licences
and military co-operation with Moscow after President Vladimir Putin signed a treating
absorbing Crimea into Russia. Moscow has said it is protecting the rights
of Russian-speaking people in Crimea following the change in government in Ukraine last month
and after a referendum recorded 96% support for the region to join Russia.
Sanctions on Russia are not intended to punish its people, but send a message to its leaders,
Mr Hague said in the Telegraph. He added that the European Commission was
working on more far-reaching economic measures that could be imposed.