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Prince Edward Cancels Sochi Paralympic Trip Over Ukraine Crisis

Prince Edward Cancels Sochi Paralympic Trip
PA

Prince Edward has pulled out of the Paralympics on the advice of the Government after Russia's decision to take military action in Ukraine.

The Earl of Wessex is patron of the British Paralympic Association and was due to attend the Sochi Games for three days next week but has now cancelled, Buckingham Palace said tonight.

It marks a concerted effort by Britain to step up diplomatic pressure on Moscow after Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision to deploy troops to the former soviet state.

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Ukraine Protests
Ukraine crisis(01 of25)
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British-based Ukrainians gather outside the Russian Embassy in London to protest against the build-up of troops in the Crimea region. (credit:PA)
Ukraine crisis(02 of25)
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British-based Ukrainians gather outside the Russian Embassy in London to protest against the build-up of troops in the Crimea region. (credit:PA)
Ukraine crisis(03 of25)
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British-based Ukrainians gather outside the Russian Embassy in London to protest against the build-up of troops in the Crimea region. (credit:PA)
Ukraine crisis(04 of25)
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British-based Ukrainians gather outside the Russian Embassy in London to protest against the build-up of troops in the Crimea region. (credit:PA)
Ukraine crisis(05 of25)
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British-based Ukrainians gather outside the Russian Embassy in London to protest against the build-up of troops in the Crimea region. (credit:PA)
Ukraine crisis(06 of25)
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British-based Ukrainians gather outside the Russian Embassy in London to protest against the build-up of troops in the Crimea region. (credit:PA)
Ukraine crisis(07 of25)
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British-based Ukrainians gather outside the Russian Embassy in London to protest against the build-up of troops in the Crimea region. (credit:PA)
Ukraine crisis(08 of25)
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British-based Ukrainians gather outside the Russian Embassy in London to protest against the build-up of troops in the Crimea region. (credit:PA)
Ukraine crisis(09 of25)
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British-based Ukrainians gather outside the Russian Embassy in London to protest against the build-up of troops in the Crimea region. (credit:PA)
Ukraine crisis(10 of25)
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British-based Ukrainians gather outside the Russian Embassy in London to protest against the build-up of troops in the Crimea region. (credit:PA)
US-UKRAINE-UNREST(11 of25)
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Ukrainian activists gather outside the White House on March 1, 2014 in Washington. Protesters gathered to rally against foreign involvement in the Ukrainian region of Crimea. AFP PHOTO/Brendan SMIALOWSKI (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
US-UKRAINE-UNREST(12 of25)
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Ukrainian activists gather outside the White House on March 1, 2014 in Washington. Protesters gathered to rally against foreign involvement in the Ukrainian region of Crimea. AFP PHOTO/Brendan SMIALOWSKI (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
US-UKRAINE-UNREST(13 of25)
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Ukrainian activists gather outside the White House on March 1, 2014 in Washington. Protesters gathered to rally against foreign involvement in the Ukrainian region of Crimea. AFP PHOTO/Brendan SMIALOWSKI (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Ukrainian activists gather outside the White House on March 1, 2014 in Washington. Protesters gathered to rally against foreign involvement in the Ukrainian region of Crimea. AFP PHOTO/Brendan SMIALOWSKI (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Ukrainian activists gather outside the White House on March 1, 2014 in Washington. Protesters gathered to rally against foreign involvement in the Ukrainian region of Crimea. AFP PHOTO/Brendan SMIALOWSKI (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
US-UKRAINE-POLITICS(16 of25)
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Ukrainian activists gather outside the White House on March 1, 2014 in Washington. Protesters gathered to rally against foreign involvement in the Ukrainian region of Crimea. AFP PHOTO/Brendan SMIALOWSKI (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Ukrainian activists gather outside the White House on March 1, 2014 in Washington. Protesters gathered to rally against foreign involvement in the Ukrainian region of Crimea. AFP PHOTO/Brendan SMIALOWSKI (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
US-UKRAINE-POLITICS(18 of25)
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Ukrainian activists gather outside the White House on March 1, 2014 in Washington. Protesters gathered to rally against foreign involvement in the Ukrainian region of Crimea. AFP PHOTO/Brendan SMIALOWSKI (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
US-UKRAINE-POLITICS(19 of25)
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Ukrainian activists gather outside the White House on March 1, 2014 in Washington. Protesters gathered to rally against foreign involvement in the Ukrainian region of Crimea. AFP PHOTO/Brendan SMIALOWSKI (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Police detain an activist protesting against recent developments in Russian-Ukrainian relations during an unsanctioned rally on the Manezh Square in Moscow, Russia
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Demonstrators gather outside the Russian Embassy in Vilnius, Lithuania, to protest against Russian intervention in Ukraine Sunday, March 2, 2014.
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Demonstrators gather outside the Russian Embassy in Vilnius, Lithuania, to protest against Russian intervention in Ukraine Sunday, March 2, 2014.
Ukraine(23 of25)
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A policeman detains a supporter of Russian opponent activist Aleksey Navalny as many others gather at the Manej square to stage a protest against the court decision to Navalny's detention in the capital Moscow
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Members of the Pussy Riot punk group, Maria Alekhina and supporters of Russian opponent activist Aleksey Navalny gather at the Manej square to stage a protest against the court decision to Navalny's detention in the capital Moscow
Ukraine(25 of25)
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Members of the Pussy Riot punk group, Maria Alekhina and supporters of Russian opponent activist Aleksey Navalny gather at the Manej square to stage a protest against the court decision to Navalny's detention in the capital Moscow.

Earlier, the Government announced it has withdrawn from preparatory talks due to be held in the coming days for the G8 summit in Sochi and ministers are boycotting the Winter Games.

William Hague, who has spoken to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon by telephone tonight, called for a "peaceful diplomatic" resolution to the crisis in Ukraine as he met leaders in Kiev for emergency talks.

The Foreign Secretary tweeted: "Have met a wide range of Ukrainian political leaders in Kyiv tonight. Violation of #Ukraine's sovereignty unacceptable

"Discussed with UN Sec General need for a peaceful diplomatic process to prevent escalation of #Ukraine crisis. UN has important role to play."

Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk has urged Russia to pull back its troops and warned "we are on the brink of disaster" as masked gunmen continued to surrounded an infantry base in Privolnoye, Crimea.

US secretary of state John Kerry accused Russia of an "incredible act of aggression" and warned that it faces serious sanctions as well as risking its membership of the G8 group of leading nations.

Cameron "remains gravely concerned" about the situation and has tonight talked to US president Barack Obama and premiers in Ukraine's neighbouring countries.

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