Shoigu says Kyiv not fulfilling Minsk Agreements
MOSCOW. July 11 (Interfax-AVN) - Kyiv brings baseless accusations against Russia and is avoiding fulfilling the Minsk Agreements on Donbas, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu told the Italian newspaper Il Giornale.
"Unfortunately, Kyiv stubbornly refuses to fulfill [the Minsk Agreements], finding far-fetched pretexts and making baseless allegations about Russia to that end," Shoigu said.
"The unconditional fulfillment of the Minsk Agreements by Kyiv is the only way to avoid a situation that could lead to genocide of the Russian population," he said.
"Further, Kyiv rejects the possibility of dialogue with Donetsk and Luhansk, which is crucial for settling the conflict. Naturally, our country is reacting to the ongoing situation and constantly urges Kyiv to fulfill the Minsk Package of Measures," Shoigu said.
"Hopefully, European nations, primarily state parties to the Normandy format, will use their influence on the Ukrainian authorities for the sake of a peaceful settlement of the domestic conflict in the southeastern region of the country," he said.