Russia demands Ukrainian opposition leaders stop bloodshed, resume dialogue with govt
MOSCOW. Feb 19 (Interfax) - The Russian Foreign Ministry believes that the Ukrainian opposition leaders involved in the ongoing street riots must stop the bloodshed and immediately resume dialogue with the legitimate authorities.
"Russia demands that the leaders of Maidan stop the bloodshed in their country and immediately resume dialogue with the legitimate authorities without threats or ultimatums," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.
"Ukraine is a state that Russia considers a friend, a brother and a strategic partner, and we will wield all our influence so that peace and accord might be restored in this country," it said.
"Blood was shed through radical opposition forces' criminal actions" in Kyiv and some other Ukrainian cities last night, the Foreign Ministry said. "A number of people have been killed and injured both among civilians and among law enforcement agencies, which are defending the state's legitimate interests by ensuring law and order," it said.
