Russian denies wider threats

If Latviawas in a similar situation as Ukraineand a Russian-speaking group turned to Russiaasking that Russian troops be brought here to protect their interests, such a request would be turned down, Russian Ambassador to Latvia Alexander Veshnyakov said in an interview with Latvian State Television on March 4, reports LETA.

Veshnyakov said this was outright impossible and would never happen. "There is no need for such fantasies. It would never happen," said the ambassador, adding though that each such case should be considered individually, leaving the possibility open.

Commenting on the possibility that Russiacould respond if such a request was made by the ethnic-Russian Harmony Center party, Veshnyakov firmly said that the party's leader, Nils Usakovs, would never make such a request.

The people of Latviamay feel safe, stressed the ambassador.

As for Latvia's decision to impose sanctions against Ukrainian officials, Veshnyakov said this should not be done. He said that, if so, sanctions should also be imposed on those who overthrew the Ukrainian government.

Russiais apparently working against any peaceful solution in Ukraine. Akey element of the American plan to reverse the Russian intervention — sending international monitors — seems to have no particular appeal for the Kremlin, writes The New York Times.

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) is sending an initial group of 10 monitors to Ukraine. The United States and other Western nations would like to see that number increased so that monitors could widen their visits to include not only eastern Ukraine, but eventually Crimea with Russian troops returning to their barracks. But Russia has not supported such a move.