He said the idea is widely discussed within the framework of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
“We are generally positive about this idea. However, this mission should work not only in southeastern Ukraine, but in other regions too,” he said.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also voiced his support for the initiative in a phone conversation with US Secretary of State John Kerry on Tuesday.
- “The minister paid particular attention to the necessity of preventing provocations by ultranationalist and radical forces against Russian speakers and our compatriots in southeastern Ukraine and other regions,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
“To that end, OSCE or Council of Europe observers may be deployed, on the condition that their mandate is impartial and locations and terms of their deployment are clearly agreed,” the statement continues.........................http://en.ria.ru/russia/20140318/188551934/Russia-Supports-Idea-of-OSCE-Observer-Mission-in-Ukraine.html
18/3/14
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Russia expressed concern on Tuesday over a clear deficit of attention in the US and the European Union to representatives of ultranationalist forces in Ukraine’s executive bodies claiming legitimacy.....
ReplyDelete“Representatives of the All-Ukrainian Union Svoboda hold some key positions in Kiev, including the positions of deputy prime minister and defence minister,” said a commentary of the Russian Foreign Ministry.
“This blatant short-sightedness is difficult to explain, and it is apparently connected with continuing devotion to geopolitical schemes with an anti-Russian tilt,” the ministry said.
http://en.itar-tass.com/russia/724257
18/3/14
Germany keeps its eye on east Ukraine...
ReplyDeleteThe EU's foreign ministers have enacted phase two of Russian sanctions. They hope phase three is never needed. To ensure that, Germany wants observers in east Ukraine now - and not next week or the week after.
The asset freezes and travel bans levied against Russians and Ukrainians on Monday (17.03.2014) at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels were never intended as a direct response to the Crimea referendum. They rather represent a second round of penalties decided upon a week and a half ago by EU heads of government. Those were to be implemented in the event Russia failed to hold direct negotiations with Ukraine's government as part of an international contact group. That hasn't happened.
"I call upon Russia yet again to meet with the Ukrainian leaders and to start dialogue with them and to try to move to de-escalation as quickly as possible," said the EU's top diplomat, Catherine Ashton. "Ukraine wants to have good relations with Russia, and so do the EU and the rest of the world," she told reporters in Brussels.
The Russian government in turn has proposed a "Group of friends of Ukraine" which would organize aid for the country. The EU has not yet responded to that proposal.
Protecting Ukraine's sovereignty
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier used the occasion to repeat a proposal made by German Chancellor Angela Merkel that observers from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) be sent to Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin is said to have signaled his agreement during a telephone conversation with Chancellor Merkel....................http://www.dw.de/germany-keeps-its-eye-on-east-ukraine/a-17501993
19/3/14
Lavrov, Steinmeier discuss situation in Ukraine within deployment of OSCE mission...
DeleteRussian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had a telephone conversation with German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Wednesday to discuss the situation in Ukraine, including within the deployment of OSCE monitoring mission in Kiev.
The conversation was held on Germany’s initiative, the Russian Foreign Ministry reported.
http://en.itar-tass.com/world/724395
19/3/14