Putin expects UN to condemn Kiev’s use of force in E. Ukraine

Russian president Vladimir Putin told UN Secretary Ban Ki-moon Tuesday that the UN and international community must condemn the use of force by the Ukrainian authorities in eastern Ukraine and its  “anti-constitutional actions.” The Kremlin press office reported on the phone call that the “crisis situation in Ukraine had escalated rapidly due to the forceful operation initiated by the Kyiv authorities in the country’s southeast.” DEBKAfile: Putin did not specify what action Moscow would take if the UN failed to condemn Kiev, but left the threat of intervention unspoken. Earlier, Ukrainian forces captured the key Kramatorsk airfield from pro-Russian protesters’ control and tanks entered some cities.