{{Russia has vowed its troops will remain in Ukraine to protect Russian interests and citizens until the political situation has been “normalised”.}}
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Russia was defending human rights against “ultra-nationalist threats”.
Russia is now in de facto military control of the Crimea region, despite Western condemnation of a “violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty”.
Ukraine has ordered full mobilisation to counter the military intervention.
Mr Lavrov said in Geneva on Monday that Russian troops were needed in Ukraine “until the normalisation of the political situation”.
Russia’s parliament authorised the use of troops on Saturday, in the wake of the ousting of pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych last month.
Mr Lavrov said: “The victors intend to make use of the fruits of their victory to attack human rights and fundamental freedoms of minorities.
He said the “violence of ultra-nationalists threatens the lives and the regional interests of Russians and the Russian speaking population”.
Mr Lavrov, who will meet UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in Geneva later, also condemned Western threats of sanctions and boycotts.
BBC
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