The Foreign Ministry of Ukraine is alarmed at certain statement of Russian President Vladimir Putin made on April 17, which are not in line with the assurances presented by Russia in Geneva that Russia is interested in de-escalation of the situation in Ukraine and Ukrainian-Russian relations.
The conflict in statements made by Russia finally discredits its positions on its alleged non-participation in the events in Crimea and in the eastern regions of Ukraine, the ministry’s press service said.
The ministry said that the Russian president actually confirmed that Russian military men were behind the self-defense forces of Crimea. The ministry pointed at Russian authorities’ disrespect of Ukrainian citizens, in particular, miners.
“Ukrainians always supported and support friendly and equal relations with the Russian nation based on the principles of mutual respect. Such ‘pseudo-brother’ attitude of Russian officials to Ukrainians forced them to fight their rights, their independence and national dignity for many centuries,” the press service said.
The ministry expressed confidence that not all Russians support the present statements of Russian officials, including those on Ukraine.
