Ban "seriously concerned" that Russian-Ukraine crisis could spin out of control

UNITED NATIONS, April 24 (KUNA) -- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is "deeply and seriously concerned" that the situation in eastern Ukraine could spin out of control with unpredictable consequences, his Deputy Spokesman Farhan Haq told the daily press briefing in a statement on Thursday.
Ban's concern was prompted by Russia's launch today of new military drills near the border with Ukraine after Kiev announced that its forces killed five pro-Russian militants whose objective is that part of the country join Russia.
The sharp escalation today contributes to a "climate of fear and anxiety," the statement said.
"As the stakes are now so high, the Secretary-General is seriously concerned that the situation could quickly spin out of control with consequences we cannot predict," Haq said.
Ban "stresses, in the strongest terms, the necessity for all parties to honour their commitments under the Geneva Statement. Military action must be avoided at all costs." Ban also called on all sides to "immediately refrain from violence, intimidation or provocative actions and find a way forward toward de-escalation." (end) sj.sd