KIEV (Reuters) - Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseny Yatseniuk said on Friday that Russia wanted to start World War Three by occupying Ukraine "militarily and politically" and creating a conflict that would spread to the rest of Europe.
"Attempts at military conflict in Ukraine will lead to a military conflict in Europe," Mr Yatseniuk told the interim Cabinet in remarks broadcast live. "The world has not yet forgotten World War Two, but Russia already wants to start World War Three."
Meanwhile, Russian troops conducting exercises close to the Ukrainian frontier this week came within 1km of the border but did not cross, Ukraine's Defence Minister was quoted as saying on Friday by Interfax-Ukraine news agency.
Saying that a column of Russian forces had approached to within 1km of the border and that aircraft had also taken part in the manoeuvres, Mr Mykhailo Koval added: "Ukraine's armed forces are ready to repel any aggression."