[BBC] The US has called for all sides to "step back and avoid any kind of provocations" amid heightened tensions in Ukraine's Crimea region.
Secretary of State John Kerry said he had spoken to his Russian counterpart who promised to respect Ukraine's "territorial integrity".
But he warned Moscow needed to back up its words with actions.
Earlier, pro-Russian armed men stormed Crimea's local parliament, while Russia has been conducting military exercises.
The ousted Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych also reportedly surfaced in Russia, having gone to ground after he was voted out of office by MPs last week. |