Kyiv welcomes the statement of Russian President Vladimir Putin on the readiness to cooperate with new Ukrainian authorities following the presidential elections, acting Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Deschytsia said.
“If this indeed happens, we will welcome not just Russia’s statement but certain steps to recognize the Ukrainian government and introduce cooperation with the Ukrainian government and the president who will be elected legitimately,” Deschytsia told Interfax in Kyiv on Friday.
Reaction by the global community is one of the aspects which affects the stance of the Russian government, he said.
“Sanctions or announcement on possible sanctions are of preventive character. And the fact that Russia makes certain statements now – we hope that they will be backed up with concrete actions – shows that after all Russia has taken into consideration and account the possible introduction of such measures by the European Union and United States,” he said.
Europe would like to see certain actions of the Russian authorities aimed to de-escalate the situation in Ukraine, Danish Foreign Minister Martin Lidegaard said.
Putin said earlier on Friday when speaking at the St. Petersburg Economic Forum that Moscow would be ready to work with authorities formed following the presidential elections in Ukraine: “We are already working with people in office and we will certainly be prepared to work with the new authorities after the election.”
