TEMPO.CO, St. Petersburg - Russia's Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, urged Ukraine to stop its military operation in eastern Ukraine and immediately begin direct dialogue with independence supporters in order to put an end to the country’s ongoing crisis.
"The key to de-escalation of the situation is certainly the cessation of this military operation against the protesters," Lavrov said as reported by RIA Novosti, Monday. "Only then people, who you call separatists, I am sure, will reciprocate."
Lavrov said no one was interested in continuing violence, but people cannot be blamed for trying to defend their homes and children.
The minister also emphasized that Kiev’s refusal to start dialogue with independence supporters in eastern Ukraine will only prolong the crisis.
"The conflicting sides are Ukrainians, and to refuse creating conditions for inclusion of representatives of the south and the east in the dialogue means only to drag this crisis on for eternity," Lavrov said.
Violence in eastern Ukraine has intensified since the military operation to crack down on protesters was launched by Kiev authorities in mid-April. The operation has been repeatedly denounced by Russia and has killed dozens of civilians.
ANTARA
