5 Dec 2014 13:49

Lavrov: Russia cannot substitute Donbas militia in Ukrainian peace talks

BASEL. Dec 5 (Interfax) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has opposed Western attempts to replace the Donbas militia with Moscow in the Ukrainian peace talks.

"Our Western colleagues, certain Europeans and especially the Americans very much want Russia to speak on behalf of the militia in one format or another. This is a strictly ideologized approach," Lavrov said, in response to an Interfax question at a Friday press conference which followed the OSCE Ministerial Council's session.

"If they want to present us as the main culprits, as they keep trying to do, and if they want to convene a forum in which we will act in this capacity then this is wrong and will not happen," Lavrov remarked.