<blockquote>'..need for Russia to withdraw forces sent to Crimea .. to do everything to allow the deployment of international observers.'
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Ukraine crisis: Shots fired as Crimea observers stopped, March 8, 2014</blockquote>
'..to control radical groups on both sides, involving the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)..'<blockquote>'The 1997 agreement, extended for an additional 25 years in 2010, authorises the presence of Russian ships in Crimean harbours, along with the presence of a large military infrastructure, including training grounds, artillery ranges and other installations. However, major movements of Russian forces require consultation with the Ukrainian authorities and the agreed force levels cannot be increased unilaterally.
Contrary to these obligations, Russia has augmented its forces in Crimea without consent[ing] Ukraine. It has deployed them outside of the agreed bases, taking control over key installations, such as airports, and encircling Ukrainian units.
..
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also waved a letter in front of the UN Security Council, claiming that the ousted Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych had requested an armed intervention.
However, once Mr Yanukovych had lost effective control over events in the country, he could no longer authorise intervention. Russia's argument that he was unlawfully deposed is not persuasive in this context. While he was not removed through the lengthy process of impeachment, provided for in the Ukrainian constitution, he was nevertheless unanimously disowned by parliament. He could no longer claim to represent the true sovereign of Ukraine, the people.
..
A Kiev-Moscow settlement would include:
<blockquote>- An agreed mechanism to prevent incidents between the opposing forces in Crimea, and to control radical groups on both sides, involving the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE);
- A commitment by Ukraine to continue applying the agreement on stationing of the Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol, matched by a Russian resumption of compliance, including withdrawal of extra troops and return to barracks;
- A guarantee by Ukraine that it will not touch the existing language rights for Russian-speakers - instead, a commitment to enhance and entrench the rights of all minorities in Ukraine;
- A joint Russia-Ukraine commission to protect the Russian Orthodox heritage in Ukraine;
An agreement to apply some key elements of the transition deal that was agreed on 21 February, the day before former President Yanukovych fled Ukraine. Kiev would reconsider the wisdom of offering places in the interim government to ultra-nationalists. Instead, the interim government would be fully inclusive;
- A review of the constitution, in line with the transition deal, to address the overwhelming presidential powers and consider boosting the autonomous status of Crimea and granting more self-rule to parts of eastern Ukraine;
- Effective guarantees for holding free and fair early elections, offering equal chances to all parties and communities.</blockquote>
Most of these steps would not be major concessions on the part of the Ukrainian government. Instead, they represent the standard measures adopted in the wake of ethnic conflict or even civil war.'
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Analysis: Why Russia's Crimea move fails legal test, March 7, 2014</blockquote>
Context<blockquote>
'..open to talks with Russia as long as it withdraws its troops and abides by international agreements.'John Kerry: Ukraine's territorial integrity must be restored, March 5, 2014</blockquote>