Lavrov, German FM discuss Ukrainian gas problem, Kyiv-southeast dialogue
MOSCOW. June 23 (Interfax) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier pointed out the need for a fair solution of the Russian-Ukrainian gas dispute in a telephone conversation on Sunday, the Russian Foreign Ministry reports.
"The foreign ministers of Russia and Germany also mentioned the role held by the OSCE in building up confidence between the conflicting sides in Ukraine, the need for a fair solution to "the gas problem" and the soonest launch of consultations between Moscow, Kyiv and Brussels for analyzing the implications of the pending conclusion of the Ukraine-EU association agreement," the ministry said in a report posted on its website on Monday.
"They stressed the need to achieve lasting ceasefire at the current stage as an obligatory condition for practical steps towards a dialogue between the Kyiv authorities and representatives of the protesters in southeastern Ukraine," the ministry said.
It underscored the ministers' agreement to maintain close contact regarding the aforementioned and other issues.