Russia's Lavrov Accuses Ukraine of Threatening Minorities
19 October 2018 20:54 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Monday accused Ukraine's new leaders of attacking minority rights and said that ultra-nationalists control many areas of the ex-Soviet country.
"The victors intend to make use of the fruits of their victory to attack human rights and fundamental freedoms... of minorities," Lavrov told the opening of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.
"Radical forces have occupied a number of cities and restrained the minority’s rights by using their language. Violence of ultra-nationalists threatens the lives and the regional interests of Russians and the Russian speaking population," he said.
"This is a question of defending our citizens and compatriots and ensuring human rights and the right to life."
Lavrov also warned of sanctions and boycotts, as Britain and the US spoke of consequences and costs if the Kremlin did not pull back its troops.
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