U.S. pushes Ukraine toward abyss by backing coup - Russian deputy defense minister
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka. Nov 27 (Interfax-AVN) - The United States pushed Ukraine toward an abyss of civil war by supporting a coup, which has led to the deaths of thousands of people, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov said.
"The U.S. and NATO troops are closer and closer to Russia's doorstep. The U.S. is also being active in the area of the former Soviet Union. The last example is the pushing of Ukraine toward an abyss through supporting the Maidan and an anti-constitutional coup," Antonov said at a conference of defense ministers of countries of Southern and Southeastern Asia in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on Thursday.
"A legitimately elected president was ousted in an armed way" in Ukraine, he said.
"A brotherly country to Russia has been led to a civil war. Thousands of people have been killed," Antonov said.
"Russia is willing to facilitate a peaceful settlement in Ukraine through a broad nationwide dialogue involving all regions and political forces of the country," he said.
"We stand for a fair and consistent implementation of the Minsk agreements on a ceasefire in southeastern Ukraine," he said.
