Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said that Thursday's key four-way meeting on the Ukrainian crisis in Geneva saw a declaration of the sides' readiness to help stabilize Ukraine's economy.
“We noted the importance of economic and financial stability in
Ukraine, which has been undermined in a very serious way recently. We
also said that we will be ready to discuss in the future our support for
efforts to stabilize the economy of Ukraine as the steps I have just
spoken about are put into practice,” Lavrov said at a press conference
in Geneva.
“It is necessary, and we have emphasized this especially, that first
of all, those who took power in Kyiv following the revolt – if they
think they represent interests of all Ukrainians – they should show
initiative, they should give a hand to the regions, hear their concerns,
sit with them and start negotiating with them on resolving certain
security issues in this or that city or village and on true
constitutional reform,” Lavrov said at a news conference in Geneva on
Thursday.
“The constitutional reform will be held anyway; there is no doubt
about that and we have received such assurances primarily from our U.S.
partners who have a crucial influence on the incumbent Kyiv
administration. And we understand that the reform will achieve its
objective and will fully provide the rights of all regions, all ethnic
groups and all language minorities,” the Russian foreign minister
continued.
“Russia is extremely concerned about the discriminatory attitude of
the incumbent authorities towards the Russian and Russian-speaking
population, the Russian language and Russian culture,” Lavrov
emphasized.
“Absolutely disgusting statements have been made at the parliament;
members of a party incorporated in the ruling coalition publicly call
the people who speak Russian “things” and claim that those who speak
Russian must be liquidated,” the minister said.
“This is just one of the numerous examples and we have not heard the
coalition leaders condemning or rebuffing such statements. I proceed
from the premise that all of us will help change that,” he underscored.
