Russia Dismisses Speculation on Crossing Ukraine Border


TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Russia has absolutely no intention of ordering its armed forces to cross over the Ukrainian border, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Saturday, adding that the divisions between Moscow and the West on the crisis are narrowing.

"We have absolutely no intention and no interests in crossing the Ukrainian border," Lavrov told Russian state television in an interview, appearing to firmly rule out an invasion of mainland Ukraine after Moscow's seizure of Crimea.

"We (Russia and the West) are getting closer in our positions," he added.

According to AFP, Lavrov also noted that the recent contacts had shown the outlines of a "possible joint initiative which could be presented to our Ukrainian colleagues.”