#Russia for 1st time talks about independence for #NovoRossiya from #Ukraine #Gamechanger http://www.interfax.com/newsinf.asp?id=531804 …
Lavrov:
talks the only way to
find out if eastern regions
want to be part of
Ukraine
SELIGER,
Russia. Aug 27 (Interfax) - Only talks between the Ukrainian
government and eastern Ukrainian regions can make it clear whether
the eastern territories are willing to remain part of Ukraine,
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov argued on Wednesday.
"We
are now convinced that everything possible must be done to ensure
that they sit down at the negotiating table and start moving from an
urgent ceasefire to trying to hear each other. Until they sit down we
won't be able to understand whether they will be able to live
together or not," Lavrov said at the Seliger 2014 youth forum.
"Unless
a political dialogue is launched with the participation of all
regions, we will never be able to understand whether it is realistic
or unrealistic for the Ukrainians to reach an agreement. And when the
current Kyiv authorities say, 'We will start a dialogue but not
before Donetsk and Luhansk lay down their arms, and if they don't
we'll try to achieve our goals in a military way,' it is an
absolutely irresponsible attitude because when one says to people,
'Surrender first, and then we'll see what to do with you,' it sparks
a chain reaction," the minister said.
"I'm
sure that what has already been achieved in the regions of Luhansk
and Donetsk consolidates these regions in their fight for what is
most important - for the right to live in those lands the way their
fathers and grandfathers did, and live the way they want to live as
well, speaking the Russian language, providing their children with
education in the Russian language, electing their own governors and
legislative assemblies, being able to get the money from taxes on
economic activities that are carried out on their territory, being
able to maintain economic, cultural and purely human contacts with
their relatives and friends in the Russian Federation and other
countries. That is the main thing," Lavrov said
Anti-Russian
rhetoric pre-
dated Ukraine crisis, Moscow
does not want spats -
Lavrov
Russia’s
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that the West started its
“irrational attacks on Russia long before” this spring’s events
in Ukraine, but insisted that Moscow is seeking to avoid “spiraling
sanctions” with the EU and the US.
RT,
27
August, 2014
“We
are not interested in confrontation, we are not interested in a
sanctions spiral,” the
minister said in a speech to an audience at the Lake Seliger youth
camp in central Russia.
“I
can only note that long before events in Ukraine the West’s attacks
on Russia assumed an irrational form. It all started long before this
spring.”
Lavrov
accused Western political leaders of “stirring
up” anti-Russian
feelings among their electorates, saying that their attitudes towards
Russia “require
a reevaluation.”
“Political
leaders in the West incite public opinion, and then claim it is the
people who are forcing them to take anti-Russian measures.”
“I
think the reason that Russia is under such heavy pressure is that,
more than any other country, we are not afraid to talk about our
interests and express our opinions. At the same time, we do not claim
that they are the absolute truth, and we are open to listening to
others. But we hope to get the same in return, and rely on our
independence not being punished by others,” Lavrov
said.
Lavrov
said the United States and other Western countries were “going
against the course of history” by
attempting to “artificially” hold
on to their influence.
“Some
countries are trying to restrain the emergence of an egalitarian
international arena. And if more unilateral sanctions are imposed on
us to this end, we will take measures in response.”
He
also claimed that the West's desire to maintain its status as the
ultimate international arbiter was a"roadblock" to
solving global problems, such as "terrorism,
drug trafficking, spread of weapons of mass destruction, food
shortages, epidemics, illegal migration and regional conflicts."
Lavrov,
who has served as Russia’s foreign minister for a decade, said that
the old “Cold
War blocs” are
no longer relevant in a “multipolar
world,” and
instead called for an emergence of “flexible
and networked”alliances.
“We
do not consider it a tragedy if some of our partners disagree with us
on certain issues – as opposed to NATO, where any step out of line
is punished immediately.”
When
asked why Moscow hasn’t recognized the self-proclaimed Donetsk and
Lugansk People’s Republics during the Q & A that followed the
speech, Lavrov told his audience that Moscow was not interested in
the breakup of Ukraine, but said that he hoped the anti-Kiev
movements would secure greater rights for Russian-speaking minorities
in the country.
“The
gains that have been made by these republics should consolidate the
region in their quest for what is most important – that they can
continue living in these areas as did their ancestors, speaking
Russian, teaching their children in Russian schools, and electing
their own governors, as well as having the chance to retain some of
the taxes they pay as a result of their economic activities.”
He
also said that any settlement must be signed after a ceasefire,
not “imposed” by
Kiev “under
the cover of bomb blasts.”
When questioned about the touted use of US-made fuel in the country’s four active Soviet-built nuclear power plants, Lavrov warned that the changeover would be “unsafe,” as the fuel rods are incompatible.“Such experiments could end badly, particularly in Ukraine, where the memory of Chernobyl is still fresh,” Lavrov said.
When questioned about the touted use of US-made fuel in the country’s four active Soviet-built nuclear power plants, Lavrov warned that the changeover would be “unsafe,” as the fuel rods are incompatible.“Such experiments could end badly, particularly in Ukraine, where the memory of Chernobyl is still fresh,” Lavrov said.
‘NATO’s
broken promises
bring world closer to global
war’
Under
the pretext of an 'overt' Russian threat, NATO is pushing for a
‘readiness action plan’ that will bring the Cold War military
bloc closer to Russian borders than ever - even despite objections
from some NATO members. James Corbett, editor of the Corbett Report,
an independent Japan-based news outlet, gave his perspective on the
matter.
READ
MORE http://on.rt.com/4upved
Kiev shelling devastates Kalininski as rallies spark against govt inaction
Civilian
areas remain in the sights of Ukraine's army in the country's East -
with residential parts of Donetsk and Lugansk being hit on a daily
basis. Kiev says it's only targeting rebel fighters. The outskirts of
the regional hub, Donetsk, have come under violent shelling once
again – RT’s Paula Slier has more.
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