Russia blames Ukraine for not eliminating crisis

Moscow, April 21 (IANS/ITAR -TASS) Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov Monday said Ukraine broke last week's Geneva accord as the authorities have done nothing to eliminate the crisis.

"The Ukrainian authorities are not being able to control extremists, or do not want to control them. On the contrary, steps are taken by those who seized power in Kiev in violation of the Geneva agreements," Lavrov said.

He also condemned the continuing Maidan street protests in Kiev.

At least three people were killed in a shooting at a checkpoint manned by pro-Russian activists near the eastern Ukrainian town of Sloviansk.

"Shooting at unarmed people on the Easter night is beyond any reason," Lavrov said condemning Sunday's incident.

Kiev called it a "provocation" staged by Russian special forces.

The US, Russia, Ukraine, and the European Union (EU) concluded talks in Geneva Thursday after signing a statement, asking all sides to refrain from violence, intimidation or provocative actions as part of initial steps to restore order in the country.

Pro-Russian protestors are still holding official buildings in at least nine towns and cities in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine.

But the protestors' spokesman in the city of Donetsk said the Ukrainian government was illegal, and vowed that until the government stepped down, they wouldn't let go of the government buildings and would continue the protests.

Ukraine had launched an anti-terrorism operation against the pro-Russian activists which has been suspended over the Easter weekend and appealed for national unity.

Russia denies fomenting separatism in eastern and southern Ukraine.

The US has threatened additional sanctions against Russia in case it failed to help calm down the tense situation in eastern Ukraine.

"Instead of giving ultimatums and threatening us with sanctions, US should realise in full measure its responsibility for those people they brought to power in Kiev," Lavrov responded to the US threats.

Ukraine has been in crisis since last November, when Kiev was gripped by protests against President Viktor Yanukovych over his rejection of an economic pact with the European Union (EU).

Yanukovych was ousted in February and has fled to Russia.

Russia then annexed Crimea March 18 following a regional referendum that approved joining the Russian federation.

The annexation provoked international outrage.