Update - Ukraine Calls For Un Meeting Over Mariupol Attack

Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk on Saturday urged the U.N. Security Council to convene an emergency meeting after shelling in the southeastern Ukrainian city of Mariupol.



"We are calling on our Western partners and the council's members to immediately gather over the attack in Mariupol," Yatsenyuk said ahead of a meeting attended by top officials of the crisis-hit country.



In remarks to the press, Yatsenyuk accused Russia of trampling on the fundamental values of humanity and international law as well as the Minsk agreement reached between the Kiev government and pro-Russian separatists in Belarus in September.



He also called for immediate and swift reaction from EU countries for Saturday's artillery attack that killed at least 30 people and injured 41 others.



Regional sources said the shelling had hit a multi-story building in Vostochny district, causing several fires in nearby apartments.



Referring to the Russian government, the Ukrainian prime minister said: "The world should do everything to halt this attacker that poses a threat to Ukraine, Europe and the whole world."



In Washington, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry condemned "in the strongest terms" the "horrific assault by Russia-backed separatists."



"The separatists' new offensive, not just in Mariupol and Debaltseve, but along the cease-fire line, has been aided and abetted by Russia's irresponsible and dangerous decision to resupply them in recent weeks with hundreds of new pieces of advanced weaponry, including rocket systems, heavy artillery, tanks, armored vehicles, in addition to continuing operational command and control," he said.



During a call with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden expressed his condolences "for the tragic loss of life in Mariupol," and condemned attacks both in the city and elsewhere as rebels press their advance.



"The Vice President and President Poroshenko expressed grave concern over Russia's blatant disregard for its commitments under the September Minsk agreement and unilateral escalation of the conflict," the White House said in a statement.



Tensions increased Wednesday when Ukraine's military confirmed it had abandoned Donetsk Airport to pro-Russian separatist militias.



Close to 5,000 people have been killed since April last year after pro-Russian rebels seized parts of Luhansk and Donetsk. 



www.aa.com.tr/en - Washington DC