Ukrainian foreign minister dismisses Russia's demand on stopping operation in eastern Ukraine
KYIV. May 27 (Interfax) - Acting Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Deshchytsya has dismissed Russia's demand that the antiterrorist operation in the eastern part of Ukraine be stopped.
Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, Deshchytsya said Russia has made it understood that the recognition of the new Ukrainian president and government would depend on the termination of the military operation in the east.
"I see this position not only as unconstructive but also as absolutely unacceptable both for settling the conflict and for future prospects of a Ukrainian-Russian dialogue," Deshchytsya said.
Following the presidential election in Ukraine, Kyiv "has not seen any signals on the situation's de-escalation" on the Russian part; moreover, it has rather seen "something just the opposite," he said.
Legitimacy of the future Ukrainian president, whom international leaders have already congratulated, cannot be conditioned by a foreign country's demands, Deshchytsya said.