(CNN) -- Moments after blasting what he called Russia's illegal "military aggression" of his nation, Ukraine's interim leader insisted Thursday that a peaceful resolution that ends with Kiev and Moscow becoming "real partners" is still possible. "We still believe that we have a chance to resolve these conflicts in a peaceful manner," interim Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk told the U.N. Security Council. Yatsenyuk's remarks come as thousands of Russian troops staged military exercises not far from his nation's border. And they are entirely new, given that Ukrainian officials have previously called for talks and slammed what they say is Russia's military invasion of their country, something that Russian President Vladimir Putin has denied.
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NEW: U.S. ambassador: "At least 10,000" more Russian troops taking part in new drills
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Ukrainian leader wants to know if "the Russians want war," thinks they don't
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Residents in Crimea are to vote Sunday on whether to leave Ukraine, join Russia
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Russia official: West "fanned ... unrest," Crimeans should have self-determination
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Still, the stage -- addressing representatives of the world's most powerful nations, @placeholder among them -- makes the assertions more salient, as does the fast approaching referendum in which residents of the Crimean Peninsula will vote whether to secede from Ukraine and join Russia.
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Rising tensions have centered on Crimea, where local officials have declared their autonomy from Ukraine and alliance with Russia, as armed men have blockaded and taken other actions against @placeholder military and other posts.
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And if people in Crimea -- including ethnic @placeholder -- want to be part of Russia, that's their right and likewise Moscow's right to protect them.
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Since then, the @placeholder's pro-western government has exacerbated the crisis by clamping down on opposition and effectively "splitting this country (into) two parts," Churkin said.
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Its most recent such action was starting military drills Thursday involving about 8,500 artillery men in the southern part of the country bordering @placeholder, according to Russia's defense ministry.
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Its most recent such action was starting military drills Thursday involving about 8,500 artillery men in the southern part of the country bordering Ukraine, according to @placeholder's defense ministry.
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These exercises -- which include rocket launchers, howitzers and anti-tank cannons -- aim to "improve the cooperation between artillery (units) and motorized rifle forces, tank forces, air cavalry and the marines," @placeholder's defense ministry said.
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The troops involved in these drills seemingly are in addition to the up to 25,000 Russian troops already stationed in @placeholder.
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Russia's military activities within Ukraine itself -- including whether its troops are among the men, whose uniforms did not have insignias, who have seemingly marooned @placeholder's military there -- are a matter of intense scrutiny and debate.
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@placeholder stated Thursday he has no doubt Russian troops have intervened, despite having "no grounds" to do so.
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She warned Putin that his actions would lead to "catastrophe" for @placeholder.