Moscow accuses Kyiv of stepping up operation in eastern Ukraine
MOSCOW. May 21 (Interfax) - The Russian Foreign Ministry has accused Kyiv of stepping up its antiterrorist operation in the eastern part of Ukraine, contrary to its obligations.
"Contrary to the obligation of refraining from any violent actions, intimidation, and provocations, not only has Kyiv not canceled a punitive operation against its own people, but it is also consistently stepping it up and regularly shelling cities in the eastern part of the country at night, including with the use of heavy weaponry," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.
"Kyiv has also forgotten its obligations on immediately disarming illegal armed groups, especially Right Sector fighters and other ultra-radicals, as well as various regional combatant structures, like Dnepr and the National Guard, whose legal status is dubious," it said.
"Not only are they not being disarmed, but, on the contrary, there have been attempts to legalize them and employ them along with foreign mercenaries in the punitive operation in the southeast," it said.
There has been no amnesty in the country, and "tough political censorship" is being exercised, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
Moscow has also noticed the convention of roundtable conferences aimed at promoting national reconciliation and a fair and stable constitutional system in Ukraine, the Foreign Ministry said. "Unfortunately, we have heard a lot of negative references to the events that have taken place, which are being held in large part just for appearances' sake, without inviting real representatives of regions and political forces," it said.
