LUHANSK, Ukraine (Reuters) - Pro-Russian separatists reinforced barricades around the state security building in the eastern Ukrainian city of Luhansk on Wednesday and called on President Vladimir Putin for help after the government warned it could use force to restore order. 
 
 Protesters were also engaged in talks to ease the standoff, which Kiev has said could provide a pretext for a Russian invasion, and lawmakers from eastern Ukraine proposed an amnesty for protesters to defuse tension. 
 
 The former KGB headquarters is one of three government buildings seized this week in eastern Ukraine by protesters demanding regional referendums on independence from Kiev. 
 
 Tensions have risen in the mainly Russian-speaking east since the overthrow of Ukraine’s Moscow-backed president and the installation of a new pro-European government. 
 
 “Of course we must ask Russia to take us in because I don’t see an alternative,” said a man dressed in camouflage who gave his name as Vasiliy and said he was the commandant of the building. “Putin help us!” he said. 
 
 In a news conference held inside the occupied building late on Wednesday, Valery Bolikov, who said he was a representative of headquarters of the Southern and Eastern Army, said talks with authorities had failed to yet bring an agreement. 
 
 “Talks are continuing there are a few issues which are being dealt with but they haven’t come to their logical conclusion,” he said in Ukraine’s Security Services ornate conference hall. 
 
 While some protesters have championed the idea of joining Russia like Crimea, Bolikov said that their demands went no further than a referendum to vote whether to give Luhansk more autonomy as part of a federal structure in Ukraine. 
 
 “(We will leave the building) only after the fulfillment of our demands of the carrying out of a referendum on federalization,” he said. 
 
 Outside of the conference hall, masked men armed with kalashnikovs, pistols and guns lined the building’s many corridors. Tensions around the seizure of the building rose after the protesters broke into the security service’s arsenal. 
 
 One protesters put the arsenal at around 200-300 rifles. 
 
 Local police spokeswoman Tatyana Pogukai said that police were not taking any action while negotiations were ongoing. 
 
 “We don’t want any violence. No one needs any death or blood,” she said over the telephone. 
 
 FORCEFUL ANSWER’ 
 
 Protesters in Donetsk, to the south, remain in control of the main regional authority building, but authorities have ended the occupation in the city of Kharkiv. 
 
 “A resolution to this crisis will be found within the next 48 hours,” Interior Minister Arsen Avakov told reporters in the capital Kiev. 
 
 A pro-Russian protester stands at a barricade outside a regional government building in Donetsk, April 9, 2014. REUTERS/Maks Levin 
 
 “For those who want dialogue, we propose talks and a political solution. For the minority who want conflict they will get a forceful answer from the Ukrainian authorities,” he said. 
 
 Ukraine’s state security service said that 50 people had left the building in Luhansk overnight. Protesters confirmed that some had left. 
 
 “Those who left were not ready to stay and fight,” said Vasiliy, who said his “soldiers” would fight on until a referendum on independence from Kiev was held. 
 
 Occupation leaders said those who stayed behind were trained soldiers who had fought in Chechnya and Afghanistan. 
 
 “We won’t be the first ones to fire a shot but we will defend ourselves,” said Pavel Strupchevsky. 
 
 Protesters insist that they have no help from Russia and that no Russians are among their ranks, but Ukraine’s government says the actions are part of a Russian-led plan to dismember the country, a charge Moscow denies. 
 
 U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry accused Russian agents and special forces on Tuesday of stirring up separatist unrest and said Moscow could be trying to prepare for military action as it had in Crimea. 
 
 Russia denied the accusations on Wednesday and dismissed concerns over a troop buildup near the border with Ukraine in what has become the worst East-West crisis since the end of the Cold War in 1991. 
 
 “Russia has stated many times that it is not carrying out any unusual or unplanned activity on its territory near the border with Ukraine that would be of military significance,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said. 
 
 Slideshow (7 Images) 
 
 A lawmaker from the most popular political party in the east, the Party of Regions, on Wednesday said he planned to ask parliament to amnesty the protesters, following the success of a similar move to reduce tension in Kiev two months ago. 
 
 “The situation is so tense and complex that one stray word might cause a flare-up,” said Oleksandr Yefremov. “To prevent people suffering ... we are proposing a draft law on an amnesty.” ||||| LUHANSK, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine's Security Service said Wednesday that 56 people held inside the agency's local headquarters in the eastern city of Luhansk by pro-Russian separatists have been allowed to leave. 
 
 Pro-Russian activists in face masks stand near a barricade in front of an entrance of the Ukrainian regional office of the Security Service in Luhansk, 30 kilometers (20 miles) west of the Russian border,... (Associated Press) 
 
 Pro-Russian activists gather behind a barricade with Russian flags in front an entrance of the Ukrainian regional office of the Security Service in Luhansk, 30 kilometers (20 miles) west of the Russian... (Associated Press) 
 
 Pro-Russian activists gather in front of an entrance of the Ukrainian regional office of the Security Service in Luhansk, 30 kilometers (20 miles) west of the Russian border, in Ukraine, Tuesday, April... (Associated Press) 
 
 Pro-Russian activists set their flags over the entrance to the regional administration building in Donetsk, Ukraine, Tuesday, April 8, 2014. In the city protesters dug in for their third day at the 11-story... (Associated Press) 
 
 The Luhansk security services building was among several government offices seized by pro-Moscow groups Sunday in an escalation of protests against the interim government in power since the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych in February. 
 
 On Tuesday, security services said separatists inside the building, armed with explosives and other weapons, were holding 60 people hostage. It was not immediately clear if the 56 allowed to leave were among that number, or how many people were still being held. 
 
 Serhiy Tyhipko, a lawmaker associated with the previous Ukraine government and who is now in opposition, said he was able to enter the seized building Tuesday night and claimed there were no hostages inside. He urged Kiev to take note of the protesters' demands. 
 
 "The authorities are not listening to the southeast. People are putting forward certain demands, but nobody hears (them) and doesn't want to react," Tyhipko was quoted as saying by the Interfax news agency. 
 
 All the cities affected by the uprisings are in Ukraine's industrial heartland in the east, which has a large population of ethnic Russians and economic and cultural ties to Russia are strong. Many residents are suspicious of government that took power in February. 
 
 Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said the standoff in Luhansk and the two neighboring Russian-leaning regions of Donetsk and Kharkiv must be resolved within the next two days either through negotiations or through the use of force, the Interfax news agency reported. 
 
 "The regime of anti-terrorist operation in all three regions is still in force and we can begin carrying out all planned actions at any moment," Avakov was quoted as saying. There was little immediate evidence of any major deployment of Ukrainian special forces at the site. 
 
 Avakov was speaking as anti-government protesters in Luhansk erected high barricades along a thoroughfare running in front of the security service premises. 
 
 Overnight, speakers at a gathering in front of the building condemned the government in Kiev and renewed demands to be allowed to hold a referendum on declaring autonomy for their region. That demand is similar to one that preceded Crimea's annexation by Russia. 
 
 The Ukrainian government and the U.S. have accused Moscow of fomenting the unrest as a pretext for another Russian military incursion similar to last month's takeover of Crimea. Up to 40,000 Russian troops are massed along the Ukrainian border, according to NATO. 
 
 Speeches at the rally were occasionally interspersed with chants of "Russia! Russia!" and an unidentified speaker won chears as he listed names of prominent politicians that he suggested should be executed. 
 
 Those occupying the building have issued a video statement warning that any attempt to storm the place would be met with force. 
 
 In the video, posted by Ukrainian media, a masked man identified the occupiers as Ukrainian veterans of the Soviet war in Afghanistan and warned the authorities against trying to retake the building. "Welcome to hell, then!" he said. 
 
 The security services said negotiations with the separatists were continuing and that parliamentary deputies had been able to enter and leave the building unhindered. 
 
 The Russian Foreign Ministry hit back at the West on Wednesday, calling for the U.S. to stop using international organizations as a means of "exacerbating tensions surrounding Ukraine." 
 
 "The daily activity of Russian troops on national territory does not threaten the security of the U.S. or other member states of the OSCE," the Russian statement said. "Attempts to accuse Russia of a buildup of troops are unfounded." 
 
 ___ 
 
 Maria Danilova in Kiev and Laura Mills in Moscow contributed to this report. ||||| Image copyright Reuters Image caption Some 56 people have now been released from the state security service in Luhansk, officials say 
 
 Ukraine's interior minister has warned pro-Russian activists who have taken over state buildings in eastern cities to enter talks to find a political solution or face "force". 
 
 Arsen Avakov said the situation would "be resolved in 48 hours" either way. 
 
 Earlier, some of those who had been inside security service offices in Luhansk since Sunday left the building. 
 
 The EU, Russia, US and Ukraine are to meet next week in the first four-way meeting since the crisis erupted. 
 
 The talks are aimed at breaking the impasse since Russia annexed the southern Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea in February. Russian troops are now massed along the borders of the two countries. 
 
 In another development on Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested state-controlled energy company Gazprom should make Ukraine pay up front for its gas, but said there should be "additional consultations" first. 
 
 Ukraine, which is on the verge of bankruptcy, owes Gazprom $2.2bn (£1.3bn) for natural gas supplies and recently missed a payment deadline. 
 
 Media caption Daniel Sandford watched as President Putin held a meeting with top officials 
 
 Tensions have been high since government buildings in the eastern cities of Luhansk, Donetsk and Kharkiv were taken over by pro-Russian activists on Sunday. 
 
 Mr Avakov said an "anti-terrorist operation" was under way in the three regions and would be concluded within the next two days. 
 
 "There are two options," he told journalists, " political settlement through talks or the use of force. 
 
 Crisis timeline 21 Nov 2013: President Viktor Yanukovych abandons an EU deal 
 
 President Viktor Yanukovych abandons an EU deal Dec: Pro-EU protesters occupy Kiev city hall and Independence Square 
 
 Pro-EU protesters occupy Kiev city hall and Independence Square 20-21 Feb 2014: At least 88 people killed in Kiev clashes 
 
 At least 88 people killed in Kiev clashes 22 Feb: Mr Yanukovych flees; parliament removes him and calls election 
 
 Mr Yanukovych flees; parliament removes him and calls election 27-28 Feb: Pro-Russian gunmen seize key buildings in Crimea. 
 
 Pro-Russian gunmen seize key buildings in Crimea. 16 Mar: Crimea voters choose to secede in disputed referendum 
 
 Crimea voters choose to secede in disputed referendum 18 Mar: Russian and Crimean leaders sign deal in Moscow to join the region to Russia Is Russia ready to move into eastern Ukraine? 
 
 "For those who want dialogue, we propose talks and a political solution. For the minority who want conflict they will get a forceful answer from the Ukrainian authorities." 
 
 The leader of the armed activists inside the state security service building in Luhansk has appealed to President Putin for help. 
 
 Calling Luhansk the "last remaining hope for all Ukraine", the man identified only as Vitaly said: "Mr Putin, have mercy on your fighters. If you lose us then you will lose the last hope to create a good neighbour." 
 
 Earlier, Ukraine's security service said 56 people held inside its Luhansk offices had been allowed to leave following two rounds of negotiations with local politicians. 
 
 During a rally outside the building overnight, speakers condemned the interim leadership in Kiev and repeated their call for a referendum on greater regional autonomy. 
 
 Ukraine's authorities said on Tuesday they had retaken control of the government building in Kharkiv. 
 
 Protesters in the regional authority building in Donetsk have been urged to leave. MP Nikolai Levchenko told reporters he feared for the safety of local residents. 
 
 "This should be resolved peacefully, he said. "I will do my best to protect them, even if they are wrong. But the most important thing is to secure the other citizens." 
 
 Barricades of barbed wire, tyres and even car bumpers surround the buildings. 
 
 Image copyright AP Image caption A Russian flag flies by a barricade erected beside the security service building in Luhansk 
 
 Image copyright AP Image caption These activists man the barricade outside a government building in Donetsk 
 
 Image caption Car bumpers have been used - along with tyres and barbed wire - to build barricades outside government buildings 
 
 Image copyright AFP Image caption Police officers' protective shields lie close to administrative buildings in Kharkiv 
 
 Moscow has warned Ukraine that using force to end the protests could lead to civil war. 
 
 On Wednesday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel criticised Russia for not doing enough to ease the tension. 
 
 She told parliament: "Unfortunately, in many areas it is not clear that Russia is contributing to a de-escalation of the situation." 
 
 'Genuine dialogue' 
 
 US Secretary of State John Kerry has said Russian special forces and agents had been "the catalyst behind the chaos". 
 
 Media caption Steve Rosenberg reports from the barricades surrounding Donetsk city hall 
 
 President Putin says there is no intention to invade Ukraine but he reserves the right to protect Russian interests there. 
 
 Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will meet Mr Kerry, EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton and Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriy Deshchytsia next week. 
 
 Senior US diplomat Victoria Nuland said expectations were not high for the talks but it was important to keep the "diplomatic door open". 
 
 Mr Lavrov, who spoke to Mr Kerry by phone on Wednesday, said the talks should focus on "dialogue among Ukrainians" and not on bilateral relations among the participants. 
 
 Kiev and its allies accuse Moscow of fomenting unrest in the mainly Russian-speaking east of the country as a pretext to possibly seizing more territory - a claim strongly refuted by Russia. 
 
 On Wednesday, Moscow again denied any intent behind its forces being stationed along the Ukraine border. 
 
 Moscow has so far refused to recognise the new authorities in Kiev following the ousting of pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych in February.
– Pro-Russia protesters are bolstering their defenses in eastern Ukraine as Kiev threatens to use force to settle the situation. "A resolution to this crisis will be found within the next 48 hours," Ukraine's interior minister says, per Reuters. "For those who want dialogue, we propose talks and a political solution. For the minority who want conflict, they will get a forceful answer from the Ukrainian authorities." The separatist protesters, meanwhile, have built gasoline bombs and installed barricades of tires and crates around a seized security building in the eastern city of Luhansk. The separatists had been holding 60 people hostage, according to Ukrainian security services; they've now let 56 people leave, though it's not certain if those who have left were part of the reported 60, the AP notes. Protesters are also holding a building in the city of Donetsk; in Kharkiv, Ukrainian forces have retaken another site, they say, via the BBC. John Kerry says Russia is "the catalyst behind the chaos of the last 24 hours," and German leader Angela Merkel says it's "not clear that Russia is contributing to a de-escalation of the situation." For its part, Russia says the US and Ukraine "have no reason to be worried," Reuters notes. Despite a direct appeal from a separatist leader in Luhansk for Vladimir Putin to "have mercy on your fighters," Putin says Russia doesn't plan to invade, but says it has the right to stand up for its interests.