Kiev Peacekeepers

From USA Today:

"Ukraine pleads with U.N. for peacekeepers"

Ukraine's president pleaded with the United Nations on Monday to send peacekeeping troops to eastern Ukraine to expel separatist militants from government buildings — a takeover he said is being directed by Russian special operations troops. Acting President Oleksandr Turchynov asked in a telephone call to U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon that an "anti-terrorist operation" could be conducted jointly by Ukrainian security forces and U.N. peacekeepers to end the crisis. But Russia holds a veto on the Security Council, so it is unlikely the U.N. would approve such a force. Meanwhile, separatists continued to hold government buildings in 10 cities in eastern Ukraine and refused to abide by a Monday morning deadline set by the Kiev government for them to vacate. Russia said it was watching events and reserved the right to intervene. Britain said Russia already has. The coordinated action of the armed pro-Russian groups inside Ukraine "is something that is being planned and brought about by Russia," British Foreign Secretary William Hague said ahead of a meeting with his EU counterparts. Numerous media outlets and the Ukrainian government have reported groups of well-armed masked men in matching uniforms without insignias directing the setting up of barricades outside occupied government buildings. Russia also has moved 40,000 troops and tank columns to its border with eastern Ukraine. "I'll be arguing today that sanctions, further sanctions, have to be the response to Russia's behavior," Hague said. The United States and Europe have already imposed economic sanctions on a handful of Russian businessmen and officials following Moscow's takeover militarily of the Ukrainian province of Crimea. European Union foreign ministers plan to meet in Geneva on Thursday to discuss ways to defuse tensions. Diplomats from the United States, Russia, the EU, Ukraine and Switzerland were expected at the talks. "We are actively evaluating what is happening in eastern Ukraine, what actions Russia has taken, what transgressions they've engaged in," White House spokesman Jay Carney said. "And we are working with our partners and assessing for ourselves what response we may choose." The European Union told the Associated Press that foreign ministers have decided to sanction more Russians with asset freezes and visa bans as a sign of opposition to Moscow's policy toward Ukraine. Critics of the West's response say it must be stronger on Russian President Vladimir Putin. "Certainly the preconditions are being put in place" to invade as Russia did in Crimea, said John Bolton, who was U.S. ambassador to the United Nations under President George W. Bush. Bolton told Fox News that sanctions imposed by the White House thus far are "pinpricks" that will not deter Putin. He suggested far stronger sanctions, such as denying Russian businesses and financial institutions access to Western financial markets, "to make therm feel pain." "Putin thinks he is on a roll. He sees Europe and the United States not responding," Bolton said. Such action would require the approval of all 28 members of the European Union. Frans Timmermans, the Dutch foreign minister, said it was too early to impose more sanctions. The White House also blamed Putin for fanning flames of unrest in Ukraine but has not announced any new measures against Russia. The International Republican Institute, a non-profit polling group, conducted a survey of Ukrainians from all backgrounds and regions — including Crimea — and backgrounds and found that 81% opposed joining Russia. Only 13% were in favor.

^ I don't see the UN sending any peacekeepers to the Ukraine (no matter how much they are needed.) The UN is too afraid of upsetting Russia. ^

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/04/14/kiev-russia-ukraine-insurgents/7691747/