RUSSIA is ready for negotiation with the USA, EU and Ukraine, says Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. He added that the talks may start in 10 days.
South-eastern Ukrainian regions should also take part in negotiation, he stated.
‘The Kiev coup-appointed government hasn’t made any positive steps towards these regions,’ said Lavrov, ‘They believe that their interests are ignored by Kiev.’
Meanwhile, the Russian Foreign Ministry has voiced concerns over the buildup of Ukrainian forces and US mercenaries in the southeastern part of the country, calling on Kiev to immediately cease military preparations which could lead to a civil war.
‘We are particularly concerned that the operation involves some 150 American mercenaries from a private company Greystone Ltd., dressed in the uniform of the Ukrainian special task police unit Sokol,’ the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
‘Organisers and participants of such incitement are assuming a huge responsibility for threatening upon the rights, freedoms and lives of Ukrainian citizens as well as the stability of Ukraine.’
Ukraine’s acting interior minister, Arsen Avakov, confirmed that additional police special forces units have arrived in southern and eastern parts of Ukraine from other regions.
‘These special forces are ready to solve operational problems without regard to local peculiarities,’ Ukraine’s Interior Ministry quoted Avakov as saying. ‘I urge all the hotheads now to defer from criticism and panic, and help the police keep the situation under control.’
According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, special forces backed by militants from the Right Sector are being tasked with suppressing protests in the southeastern regions of Ukraine. ‘We urge Kiev to immediately stop all military preparations which could lead to a civil war,’ the statement reads.
Three special forces units have been redeployed to the Donetsk and Lugansk regions to suppress anti-government protests.
