25/02/2014 18:28
Russia says it will keep out of Ukrainian affairs
Russia’s top diplomat said Tuesday that Moscow will not interfere with affairs in Ukraine as the former Soviet nation scrambles to recover from the outcome of a street-based uprising that culminated in the overthrow of the president, RIA Novosti reported.
The Kremlin has reacted with barely disguised anger to the ascent to power by political forces that had until last week occupied the ranks of the opposition, but it has been at pains to convey a non-interventionist stance over developments in Ukraine.
“We have confirmed our principled position to not interfere in Ukraine’s internal affairs and expect all [foreign powers] to follow a similar logic,” said Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
Lavrov said it would be “dangerous and counterproductive” to give Ukraine an ultimatum of “either you’re with us or against us.”
Lavrov suggested that the election should be delayed until constitutional reforms are carried out in September, as had been agreed between Yanukovych and the opposition last week in a deal that preceded the president’s flight and impeachment.
“The agreement from February 21 envisions that this reform should be carried out through to September, and that only after that – it is specifically underlined – and until the end of the year should the presidential election take place,” Lavrov said.
Lavrov, who earlier Tuesday attended a Security Council meeting with Russia’s president and defense minister, said Moscow would wait until a new government was formed in Ukraine before agreeing to render assistance.
“We want to understand who will be in Ukraine’s new government, which is literally being formed at this time, and what agenda this new government will have, including for stabilizing the economy,” he said.