Four-party talks in Geneva aims to de-escalate Ukraine situation. --The issue of federalization of Ukraine was not on the agenda.

The upcoming four-party talks over the Ukraine crisis aims to seek ways to de-escalate the situation on its border rather than focus on its internal affairs, Ukraine's ambassador to the United Nations Office at Geneva said on Tuesday.

Yurii Klymenko, Ukraine's ambassodor to the UN Office and other international organizations in Geneva, told a press conference that during the high-level meeting scheduled to take place on Thursday, "issues pertaining to the internal affairs of Ukraine" would not be considered.

• The senior diplomat particularly noted that the issue of federalization of Ukraine was not on the agenda.

Klymenko stressed that the meeting, which would bring together top diplomats of the European Union, Russia, United States and Ukraine, would be about finding ways to de-escalate the situation on the ground and restore trade and economic relations between Moscow and Kiev.

A new wave of unrest has erupted in Ukraine's east over the weekend, as pro-Russia activists seized several government buildings in the cities of Donetsk, Lugansk and Kharkov, demanding a referendum on autonomy and closer ties with Russia.

Ukraine accused Russia of being behind the unrest, but Moscow has firmly denied involvement in Ukraine's domestic affairs.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Monday said Russia does not interfere in Ukraine's internal affairs, which would contradict their interests. 
[globaltimes.cn]
16/4/14
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