BERLIN, August 18. /ITAR-TASS/. Humanitarian problems should unite parties in the talks on the situation in Ukraine, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said following the four-party meeting in Berlin.
Lavrov noted some progress on several issues at the quadripartite talks on Ukraine in Berlin. “We have reached consensus regarding humanitarian aid,” he said.
Moscow expects Russia’s humanitarian aid to east Ukraine’s Donetsk Region to be delivered soon, Lavrov said on Monday. “We expect humanitarian aid to be delivered shortly to all those who need it,” the Russian foreign minister said. “Humanitarian issues are what should unite all of us,” Lavrov said.
Situation on the Russian-Ukrainian border
Berlin ministerial meeting also achieved progress in control at Russia-Ukraine border, Lavrov stressed. However, no progress has been reached towards a ceasefire in Ukraine and a political process, the foreign minister noted. Ceasefire must be unconditional, but Ukraine continues to bring forward vague terms, Lavrov said.
Lavrov also noted that over the last three weeks monitors have not fixed illegal crossing of Russia-Ukraine border.
Moscow is ready to consider extending the term for Ukrainian border guard working at Russian Donetsk checkpoint, Lavrov said on Monday.
“At the Russian Donetsk checkpoint, besides OSCE monitors, there are Ukrainian border guards and customs control staff for the purposes of humanitarian aid deliveries,” he said. “We are ready to consider extending their presence term."
Russia supports the use of unmanned aerial vehicles by OSCE observers to control Russian-Ukrainian border districts, Lavrov said on Monday.
“The OSCE mission (of observers) is empowered to provide themselves with required equipment,” the Russian foreign minister said. “We are discussing the mission to be provided with drones to control the border from the Ukrainian side. We support this approach. The more effectively the mission will work, the better," he added.
Russia can take any decision on its own territory
Russia can take any decisions on its home territory that the country finds needed for ensuring security, Lavrov stressed.
“The war is being waged on the other side of the border, artillery, aviation and multiple launch rocket systems are being used. All this is happening just a few kilometres away from our border. Shells have hit our territory, several buildings were destroyed in civilian sector and casualties were reported,” he said.
“We do not assume that this is a deliberate act, probably all this has happened by chance,” Lavrov said. “Caution cannot be excessive, we should show vigilance,” he added.
“On its territory, Russia can take any decisions which the country finds necessaary to ensure security,” the minister said.
Moscow urges Washington to influence conflicting parties
Moscow sends signals to Washington with the aim to influence Kiev to achieve ceasefire, Lavrov noted. Kiev's request for military aid from Europe breaches all earlier agreements, the minister noted.
Kiev is unable to control the numerous armed groups of Ukraine's Right Sector nationalist organization, as well as the battalions of Ukrainian business tycoons, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said. "We're working with colleagues in Europe and the USA who can influence the armed groups that do not obey the Kiev authorities. The West has such influence and is ready to exert it," Russia's top diplomat said.
Russia insists on Kiev's launching a national dialogue involving all Ukrainian regions, as was agreed in Geneva, Lavrov said.
Berlin talks on Ukraine will be continued within a few days, the minister noted. Russia, Germany, France and Ukraine will continue effort in this format to settle the situation in Ukraine.