02:35Germany: Tensions run high over Ukraine in opening OSCE Ministerial session
Russian and Ukrainian Foreign Ministers, as well as High EU Representatives on Foreign Affairs Frederica Mogherini, exchanged their statements on the current situation in Ukraine, at the opening session of OSCE Ministerial Council in Hamburg, Thursday.
Mogherini underlined that the EU "will not recognise the annexation [of Crimea] and will continue to call for it to be reversed." The EU diplomat also underlined the union's commitment to the ceasefire in eastern Ukraine and the implementation of the Minsk agreements.
In turn, Lavrov reiterated Russia's support for the "OSCE Special Observing group in Ukraine," stating it is an important stabilising factor for resolution of Ukrainian conflict. The diplomat went on to point out that "there are no alternatives to the direct negotiations between Kiev and Donbass in frameworks of Normandy format."
Continuing, Lavrov condemned "belligerent rhetoric" against Russia, adding "If you want to invite the partner for the dialogue, you shouldn't start the conversation with the allegations against him and demand to talk only on the ultimate conditions."
For his opening statement the Ukrainian representative, Pavlo Klimkin, claimed that "Ukraine is committed to stopping Russian aggression in Donbass and implement the Minsk agreement." Klimkin hailed the "Combined international efforts and sanctions" that "have curtailed Russia," according to the Ukrainian.
02:35Russian and Ukrainian Foreign Ministers, as well as High EU Representatives on Foreign Affairs Frederica Mogherini, exchanged their statements on the current situation in Ukraine, at the opening session of OSCE Ministerial Council in Hamburg, Thursday.
Mogherini underlined that the EU "will not recognise the annexation [of Crimea] and will continue to call for it to be reversed." The EU diplomat also underlined the union's commitment to the ceasefire in eastern Ukraine and the implementation of the Minsk agreements.
In turn, Lavrov reiterated Russia's support for the "OSCE Special Observing group in Ukraine," stating it is an important stabilising factor for resolution of Ukrainian conflict. The diplomat went on to point out that "there are no alternatives to the direct negotiations between Kiev and Donbass in frameworks of Normandy format."
Continuing, Lavrov condemned "belligerent rhetoric" against Russia, adding "If you want to invite the partner for the dialogue, you shouldn't start the conversation with the allegations against him and demand to talk only on the ultimate conditions."
For his opening statement the Ukrainian representative, Pavlo Klimkin, claimed that "Ukraine is committed to stopping Russian aggression in Donbass and implement the Minsk agreement." Klimkin hailed the "Combined international efforts and sanctions" that "have curtailed Russia," according to the Ukrainian.