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Russia calls for preventing deterioration of situation in Ukraine

Russia's Foreign Ministry says that the agreement of February 21 is used as a cover to promote coercive scenarios in Ukraine
Russia's Foreign Ministry ITAR-TASS/Stanislav Krasilnikov
Russia's Foreign Ministry
© ITAR-TASS/Stanislav Krasilnikov

MOSCOW, February 24. /ITAR-TASS/. Russia urges those who are involved in the crisis in Ukraine to show maximum restraint and prevent the deterioration of the situation, the Foreign Ministry reported on Monday.

“We must note that certain Western partners are guided by unilateral geopolitical goals. There are no principled assessments on extremists’ actions, including the neo-Nazi and anti-Semitist manifestations. Moreover, Western partners encourage such actions,” the ministry said.

“Thus, we believe that the agreement of February 21 is used as a cover to promote coercive scenarios in Ukraine through mentioning ‘facts on the ground’ without any wish to search for consensus to reach national accord,” the ministry said.

“The attempts, which are made to involve international structures, including the UN Secretariat in order to justify this policy, arouse great concern,” it said.

“Russia urges those who are involved in the crisis in Ukraine to take responsibility and prevent further deterioration of the situation, solve all problems by legal means and terminate extremists’ crimes,” the Russian ministry said.

“Rioters are not disarmed and refuse to leave streets in cities. They refuse to free administrative buildings, and they continue committing acts of violence,” the ministry said.

“Russia is surprised that several European politicians hurried up to uphold early presidential elections in Ukraine scheduled for May although the agreement of February 21 says the elections should take part after the constitutional reform is over. It is clear that all political forces should take part in carrying out this reform. All regions should take part in the reform, and its results should be submitted to a referendum,” it said.

“We are sure that the interests of deputies of eastern and southern regions of Ukraine, Crimea and Sevastopol should be met,” the ministry added.

“We voice concern about legitimate actions taken by the Verkhovna Rada. Referring to ‘revolutionary expediency’, the parliament ‘prints’ resolutions and laws aimed at infringing upon humanitarian rights of Russians and other ethnic minorities living in Ukraine,” the ministry said.

Ukraine has pursued a policy towards suppressing discontented people by dictatorial, sometimes by terrorist means, the Russian Foreign Ministry reported.

“We hear calls for putting a ban on the Russian language, eliminating parties and organizations, and closing dissenting mass media,” the ministry said.