MOSCOW. April 14 (Interfax) - The fulfillment of Ukrainian interim President Oleksandr Turchynov's order to start an army operation in eastern Ukraine must be averted, Russian Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vitaly Churkin said.
He urged the international community to prevent "reckless moves" of the Kyiv administration.
As to a Ukrainian settlement meeting that might be held in Geneva on April 17, Churkin said the possible start of a military operation in southeastern Ukraine "would drastically undermine it."
The Ukrainian events "may take an irreversible turn" within several hours if Turchynov's order to engage the Armed Forces is fulfilled, he said.
Churkin recalled that U.S. Vice-President Joe Biden made several calls to Viktor Yanukovych before February 21 and asked him not to use force and suggested, "Let Biden call Turchynov in order to avert the thoughtless use of force."