The World is Watching the Developments in Ukraine

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says he is "gravely concerned about the deterioration of the situation" in Ukraine and plans to speak shortly with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

A Ban spokesman delivered the statement Saturday afternoon as members of the Security Council met in an emergency closed-door session on the rapidly developing events in Ukraine's Crimea region.

Ban's statement calls for "full respect for and preservation of the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine" and demands "immediate restoration of calm and direct dialogue between all concerned."

Russia's ambassador to the U.N., Vitaly Churkin, told reporters on his way into the meeting, "Busy weekend, isn't it?"

British Ambassador Mark Lyall Grant said the meeting is to determine "what justification Russia claims to have" for its de facto military takeover of the strategic Crimea region.

UNITED STATES-RUSSIA

NEW: Top officials at White House meeting on Ukraine

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. is reviewing Russia's military moves in Ukraine and trying to figure out how to respond.

There was a high-level meeting at the White House Saturday after Russia's parliament gave President Vladimir Putin the military go-ahead to protect Russian interests in neighboring Ukraine.

Participants in the meeting included Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, CIA Director John Brennan, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Martin Dempsey and Director of National Intelligence James Clapper.

President Barack Obama warned Russia on Friday that "there will be costs" for any military maneuvers that Russian undertook in Ukraine.

UKRAINE

Lawmakers allow Putin to use military in Ukraine

KIEV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia's parliament has granted President Vladimir Putin permission to use the country's military in Ukraine.

Saturday's unanimous vote formalized what Ukrainian officials described as an ongoing deployment of Russian troops in the strategic region of Crimea. It also raised the possibility that Moscow could send its military elsewhere in Ukraine.

Putin's call came as pro-Russian demonstrations broke out in Ukraine's Russian-speaking east, where protesters raised Russian flags and beat up supporters of the new Ukrainian government.

Russia's move sharply raised the stakes in the conflict following the ouster of Ukraine's pro-Russian president last week by a protest movement aimed at turning Ukraine toward the European Union and away from Russia.

The Russian parliament is also recommending that Moscow's ambassador be recalled from Washington over comments made by President Barack Obama, who warned Moscow on Friday that "there will be costs" if Russia intervenes militarily in Ukraine.