VIENNA, May 06. /ITAR-TASS/. The May 2 events in the Ukrainian Black Sea port city of Odessa are a blatant manifestation of fascism, but no culprits of this crime were arrested, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in his speech at a meeting of the Committee of Ministers of the European Council on Tuesday.
“On May 2, defenseless people, including women, were burnt alive in the House of Trade Unions in the city of Odessa. The fire was opened at those who tried to survive by jumping out from the windows. They were scoffing at corpses. They were glad about the number of victims. They did not conceal that they mark victory over Russians. We witnessed a blatant manifestation of fascism,” Lavrov said.
While condemning the tragedy in Odessa, the West tries to turn a blind eye to its true reasons, Lavrov said.“Though the West denounces the Odessa tragedy, they (Western countries) turn a blind eye to its true reasons, as the policy of former President Viktor Yushchenko and his associates to legalize “the heritage” of Bandera and Shukhevich, their atrocities and outrages under the disguise of some “new Ukrainian patriotism” was hushed up and even justified,” the foreign minister noted.
Prospects for talks between Kiev authorities and south-eastern leaders
Russia hopes that those countries which blocked an opportunity for direct talks between current Kiev authorities and south-eastern Ukraine under the aegis of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) will change their position, Lavrov said.
“Several days ago we discussed an opportunity for direct dialogue between the current Kiev authorities, country’s regions that support them and political leaders in south-eastern Ukraine,” the minister noted. “Then some quite influential countries have blocked this initiative. We hope that they will change their position. It is needed to determine Ukraine’s fate openly and honestly with full-fledged participation of all opponents of Kiev authorities," Lavrov said.
Attempts to build unipolar world
The world once again is witnessing attempts to build a unipolar world, where all European states act at one order, Lavrov stated.
“Bloc-against-bloc mentality is bursting into Europe and we are witnessing attempts to impose the Cold War stereotypes,” he said. “Once again, we are witnessing attempts to build a unipolar world, where all European states act at one order. Such model of the world order is in diametrical opposition to the principles our organization advocates," Lavrov stressed.
Instead of building a united Europe, attempts are being made to stimulate illegal actions aimed at toppling unwanted regimes and exporting “color revolutions,” Lavrov said, adding that in Ukraine such a revolution was tinted with brown.
“In opposition to the ideas of building a really united Europe, based on principles of respect to and due account of the interests of security of all states, of protection of legal rights of all peoples and each citizen of our continent, illegal actions are being stimulated to topple unwanted regimes and export ‘color revolutions’,” he said. “And as concerns Ukraine, this so-called “revolution” is manifestly tinted with brown," the minister noted.
Not only Russians fear for safety in Ukraine
Not only Russians, but also ethnic Czechs, Hungarians and other ethnic minorities in Ukraine are concerned about their rights and security, Lavrov said.
“To understand the hateful nature of actions of those who glorified and continue to glorify “true patriots”, whose banners are being carried in western and central Ukraine, it is enough to print “division Galicia” in any Internet search engine,” the minister said.
“It is not accidental that not only Russians, but also ethnic Czechs, Hungarians and other ethnic minorities in Ukraine have deep fears for their rights and security,” Lavrov added.