Russian lawmakers plead with Putin to protect Russians in Crimea
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
Russian lawmakers have urged President Vladimir Putin to take steps to stabilize the situation in Crimea and protect Russians there.
Ukraine has already accused Moscow of a "military invasion and occupation," after troops it described as Russian have moved outside regional parliament, airports and other key facilities in this strategic peninsula that hosts a major Russian navy base
Upper house speaker Valentina Matviyenko said Saturday that Russia could deploy additional troops to Crimea to help protect the local population from the new Ukrainian authorities.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
The statements came after Crimea's new prime minister, Sergei Aksynov, asked Russia for assistance. He was named prime minister after pro-Russia gunmen seized the regional parliament.