Russia Says Ukraine Crisis Created "Artificially"
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - The crisis in Ukraine was created "artificially and for purely geopolitical motives," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Saturday, but added that his government is nevertheless willing to hold talks with the new leadership in Kiev to overcome the turmoil.
Russia’s top diplomat said Moscow is ready for "equal dialogue" with its international partners and Ukraine‘s "declared" new leaders - so long as the talks are "partner-like" and there are no "attempts to display Russia as a party to the conflict."
"The crisis was not created by us... it was created despite our multiple warnings, artificially and for purely geopolitical motives," said Lavrov, according to the Itar-Tass news agency.
Moscow has repeatedly said it does not recognize the pro-European leadership in Kiev, which ousted the Kremlin-friendly president Viktor Yanukovych last month after three months of violent protests, the dpa reported.
The US and the European Union have threatened sanctions against Moscow over the ongoing military standoff in the Crimean peninsula, amid fears Russia could annex the territory.
They are urging Russia to pull back its forces in the former Soviet state and allow in international observers and human rights monitors.
