Kiev will ask the United Nations to grant the crisis-hit Crimean peninsula the status of a demilitarized area, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said.

"Ukraine will soon turn to the UN with suggestions regarding the preparation of international instruments for the demilitarization of Crimea to prevent escalation of the conflict on the peninsula," Foreign Ministry spokesman Eugene Perebiynis told a media briefing here.

If the UN accepts Kiev's request, Ukraine and Russia would have to withdraw their military troops from Crimea.

Perebiynis also said that his country would intensify its internal efforts to protect the people in the Black Sea peninsula in light of the tense security situation.

Ukraine will also tighten control on its borders and will develop proposals on the introduction of visa regime with Russia to prevent possible provocations, the official said.

Clashes between the pro-Ukrainian and pro-Russian supporters in Crimea came shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin and Crimean leaders signed a treaty Tuesday for the Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol to be part of the Russian territory.

Following the standoff, Ukraine announced plans for evacuation of its military personnel and their families, as well as civilians from the peninsula.

As of Thursday morning, some 25,000 people expressed the desire to leave Crimea and move to Ukraine's mainland, according to Social Policy Minister Lyudmila Denisova. Endi

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