Lavrov warns Kyiv, other capitals against disrupting Minsk agreements on Ukraine
MOSCOW. Nov 18 (Interfax) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has cautioned Kyiv and the capitals that can influence the Ukrainian authorities against disrupting the Minsk agreements and trying to decide Ukraine's fate without representatives of its southeastern part.
"There are a lot of those not only in Kyiv but also in some remote countries that can influence Kyiv who wish to act so that the Minsk agreements should fail and Ukraine's fate be resolved without those who are currently defending their right to live on their land in the southeast and then force them to accept what's been agreed upon without them," Lavrov said at a press conference following negotiations with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Moscow on Tuesday.
Russia would see it as an act of provocation, he said.
"I fully agree with what Frank-Walter [Steinmeier] has said. The Minsk agreements are not ideal, but this is the only [document] signed and supported by all of the key players, including the European Union, the U.S., the Ukrainian parties themselves, and Russia," he said.
"If we all were sincere when we said this, let's make sure that these agreements are implemented rather than make loud scandals by accusing someone of disrupting them," Lavrov said.