Amid Calls to ‘Intervene’ in Ukraine, Russia in Difficult Spot, Says Lavrov

Calls by local leaders for Moscow to intervene in the ongoing crisis in eastern Ukraine have put Russia in a very difficult position, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Monday.

“Attacks are continuing in Slaviansk, Mariupol, and other different places in southeastern Ukraine, as well as the attacks carried out by militants in masks, who are acting ruthlessly,” Lavrov said at a press conference.

“And, you probably hear more and more calls for Russia to save them from this lawlessness. They are putting us in a really difficult situation,” he added.

A reporter asked Lavrov a question on statements by Kiev and the West that the presence of Russian weapons in Southeastern Ukraine proves Russia’s involvement.

“This argument, I think, is just ridiculous, because there were never other weapons there. Russian weapons are everywhere in the country,” Lavrov said.

A curfew has been announced in the eastern Ukrainian city of Slaviansk after a group of unknown gunmen launched a deadly attack on a checkpoint near the city on Easter Sunday.

The leader of pro-federalization protesters, Vyacheslav Ponomaryov, who has been serving as the city’s acting mayor, said the attack came in violation of the cease-fire announced ahead of Easter celebrations, and called on Russia to send peacekeepers to the region.

Russia strongly recommends US to fully realize responsibility for those it installed in power in Kiev – Lavrov

“A deadly militant attack on a checkpoint in Ukraine’s Slaviansk on Easter Sunday is a crime that only benefitted those who seek to violate the Geneva agreement arrived at last Thursday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said at a press conference Monday.

“The fact that a group of armed extremists appeared in Slaviansk on Easter Sunday and without any warning opened fire at unarmed people at the checkpoint is simply outrageous,” Lavrov said.

“It is a crime that is beneficial only to those who seek to violate the implementation of the Geneva agreements,” he added.

The Kiev authorities “cannot, and, maybe, do not even want to control the actions of extremists.” The Ukrainian Interior Ministry confirmed Sunday that three people, including two local citizens, were killed and three others were injured in an overnight shootout in the city.

Voice of Russia

R.S