David Cameron: "What we want to see is a de-escalation"
Diplomatic,
political and economic pressures will be put on Russia to send a "clear
message" about its actions in the Ukraine, David Cameron has said.
The prime minister was speaking after Russian forces
reportedly set a 03:00 GMT deadline for Ukrainian forces in Crimea to
surrender or face attack. The international community has warned Russia of reprisals if it does not pull its forces back and reduce tensions.
Vladimir Putin has said Russia reserves the right to protect its interests.
Mr Cameron spoke to German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande about the crisis on Monday.
Downing Street said they had agreed they "should speak with one voice and send a clear message to Russia that its actions in Ukraine were completely unacceptable".
Meanwhile, an official document says the UK government will not curb trade with Russia or close London's financial centre to Russians as part of any possible package of sanctions against Moscow.
The document, which was photographed as a senior official carried it into a meeting in Downing Street, says "the UK should not support for now trade sanctions or close London's financial centre to Russians".
