Comments of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine on the statements made by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation S.V. Lavrov on “Russia Today”
April 23, 2014
Against the backdrop of Ukraine’s fair and full implementation of the Geneva agreements, the threats of Russian armed intervention in response to Ukraine’s lawful efforts to combat terrorism and separatism made by the Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov, on April 23, during his interview on the Russian channel “Russia Today” struck an absolutely discordant note.
We understand these statements to mean that the Russian side is ready to implement its aggression against Ukraine and to continue massing Russian army troops near the Ukrainian border towards that end.
The assumptions used in the interview regarding possible attacks by Ukraine on the interests of Russia and Russians appear completely groundless given the efforts made by Ukraine to deescalate the conflict and resolve it peacefully.
The anti-terrorist operation that is being carried out today fully complies with Ukrainian law and the international obligations assumed by the Ukrainian side and is designed to protect the citizens of the eastern regions of Ukraine from terrorist and other illegal activities and to bring about the cessation of violence.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine calls on the Russian Federation to comply fully with international law, in particular regarding the respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within internationally recognized borders.
Original Ukrainian text:
http://mfa.gov.ua/ua/press-center/comments/1102-komentar-mzs-ukrajini-shhodo-vislovlyuvany-ministra-zakordonnih-sprav-rf-svlavrova-v-intervju-rosijsykomu-telekanalu-russia-today
