The use of force against protestors in southeastern Ukraine would derail the four-party talks in Geneva [between Russia, the United States, the European Union and Ukraine], said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
“If force is used in southeastern Ukraine, chances of holding this
meeting in Geneva would be undermined,” he said at a press conference
after talks with Chinese Foreign Minster Wang Yi.
“One cannot set tanks against one’s own people and, simultaneously, conduct talks,” the Russian foreign minister said.
“In principle we are prepared for this meeting and we think its
format will be rather useful for telling our American partners and
partners in the European Union directly, that those whom they have
brought to power should be persuaded to respect their own people and to
start a genuine, not cosmetic or closed-door and covert constitutional
reform, with all the regions equally represented and with all major
political forces involved in disarming illegal formations and
de-escalating the situation,” he said.
“Now that armor is being dispatched from western to southeastern
regions, the term ‘de-escalation’ and calls for de-escalation acquire
special significance,” Lavrov said.
