Intl efforts to settle situation in Ukraine useless if Kyiv doesn't stop force - Lavrov
BERLIN. Aug 18 (Interfax) - International efforts such as the recent meeting between the foreign ministers of Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France will not be a success as long as Kyiv uses force to resolve the conflict in southeastern Ukraine, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
"I don't think anything good will come out of what we are now trying to do as long as force is continued to be used, as long as the Kyiv administration operates on the assumption that it needs military victories over its own people to solidify its position in Kyiv," Lavrov told reporters.
Lavrov also said he is negative about the requests made by Ukraine to NATO and the European Union to provide military assistance to Kyiv.
"My attitude to that is negative, it contradicts all agreements and understandings that were reached on the need to cease fire and begin negotiations," Lavrov said.