普京：俄罗斯保留对乌克兰动武的权利

Russian President Vladimir Putin says Moscow is still reserving the right to use its military to protect Russians in Crimea.

However, he maintains the use of force is only a last resort.

The statement comes after Putin ordered tens of thousands of Russian troops taking part in military exercises near Ukraine's border to return to their bases.

"We believe that if we make a decision, if I make a decision to use armed forces, it will be legitimate, totally corresponding to general norms of international law because there was an appeal by the legitimate president Viktor Yanukovych, and according to our obligations, and in this case in coincides with our interests to protect those people who we consider are closely linked to us."

The Russian president says, at present, there is no need to send in Russian forces into Ukraine.

However, he says such a possibility still exists.

The Russian government has agreed to a NATO request to hold a special meeting to discuss the situation in Ukraine.

Ukrainian interim Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk says consultations with Russian authorities are now underway at the ministerial level.

"We are once again calling on Russia to stop military aggression on the territory of Ukraine. Ukraine is ready to renew and moderate a new style of relations with Russian Federation, where Russia will respect the sovereign right of Ukraine to choose international political orientation of the Ukrainian state."

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has arrived in Kiev, warning the U.S. will take steps to "isolate" Russia if it fails to pull back from the Crimea.

Kerry says the U.S is looking for ways to de-escalate the mounting tension.

He also says there are better ways for Russia to pursue its legitimate interests in Ukraine.

China's United Nations ambassador, Liu Jieyi, has renewed the Chinese call for a political solution to situation in Ukraine.

Tensions remain high in Crimea, as troops loyal to Moscow have fired warning shots to ward off protesting Ukrainian soldiers.

Pro-Russian demonstrators have been staging rallies outside a Ukrainian military base, trying to persuade the Ukrainian troops to give up to the troops loyal to Moscow.