United Nations, March 11 (RHC)-- UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon says that "serious repercussions" can be expected if unrest continues in Ukraine. Spokesperson for the secretary general, Stephane Dujarric, has called for calm.

"The international community must help the key actors to calm the situation and work toward a durable and fair political solution. A further deterioration of the situation would have serious repercussions for the people of Ukraine, the region and the global community."

The turmoil in Ukraine began when violent attacks led to the overthrow of President Viktor Yanukovich. The parliament of the Ukrainian region of Crimea has also voted to secede from Ukraine and become part of the Russian Federation.

UN officials are currently in Ukraine as part of diplomatic efforts to help defuse tensions in Crimea, where Russian troops have been deployed. Moscow insists that the only legitimate authority in Ukraine is Yanukovich, who was ousted following the violation of an accord he signed along with opposition leaders on February 21st and with Germany, France and Poland as warrantors representing the European Union.