Instances of possible indiscriminate and disproportionate use of force by the current Kyiv authorities against protestors in southeast Ukraine should raise concerns among the OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe) member states, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
“It is well known that a group of over 11,000 Ukrainian troops is
operating in this area, armed with about 160 military tanks, over 230
armored fighting vehicles, at least 150 artillery systems and a large
number of aircraft. This group significantly outnumbers local
self-defense squads, and the presence of tanks, artillery (including
multiple rocket launchers) and combat aviation suggests the possibility
of indiscriminate and disproportionate use of forces, including the
destruction of entire cities,” according to a statement by the Russian
delegation at the Vienna talks on military security and arms control.
The text of the statement was posted on the Russian Foreign Ministry’s website on Monday.
“It is these facts that must raise deep concern among the OSCE member
states, including in the context of compliance with the Geneva
agreements,” the ministry said.
“Russia is ready to discuss the military aspects of the situation
around the Ukrainian crisis in the framework of the Forum for Security
Co-operation and its working bodies, as well as in bilateral meetings,
without association with the mechanism under Chapter III of the Vienna
Document 2011,” the ministry said.
