Lavrov tells Kerry Russia's Crimea move will not be revisited, must be respected
20 March 2014, 20:39 -- The decision of Crimea to reunite with Russia, 'reflecting the will of the absolute majority of its residents, is not subject to revision' and must be respected, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told his US counterpart John Kerry on Thursday.
'Lavrov stressed that the decision to reunite Crimea and Russia which reflects an expression of will of an absolute majority of its residents is not subject to revision and should be respected,' the Foreign Ministry said.
'The heads of the foreign policy departments continued discussing the situation in Ukraine and possibilities of international assistance in overcoming the political crisis in that country, including through organization of an international mission acceptable to all Ukrainians that would monitor the observance of human rights and ethnic minorities,' the Russian Foreign Ministry reported.
The Republic of Crimea, where most residents are Russians, held a referendum on March 16, in which 97 percent of its population voted for secession from Ukraine and joining Russia, and subsequently signed a treaty with Moscow on Crimea's accession to the Russian Federation as a constituent member on Tuesday.
Russia's lower house of parliament on Thursday ratified a treaty incorporating Crimea into Russian territory and adopted supporting legislation, and the upper house of parliament, the Federation Council, was expected to rubber-stamp the legislation on Friday. Under the Soviet Union, Crimea was part of the Soviet republic of Russia before 1954.
Time to end condoning of Ukrainian Right Sector militants, Svoboda activists - Lavrov
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told United States Secretary of State John Kerry by telephone on Thursday that Washington should stop condoning Ukrainian nationalists and extremists.
'Lavrov stressed that the decision on Crimea's reunification with Russia reflected the expression of will of the absolute majority of its people, that it may not be reviewed and must be respected. The minister noted the unacceptability of provocations aimed at destabilizing the situation in Crimea,' the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on its website.
The foreign-policy chiefs continued to discuss the situation in Ukraine and possible international assistance in tackling this country's political crisis, including through the organization of international monitoring of human rights and the rights of ethnic minorities in a form that is acceptable for all Ukrainians.
'Lavrov drew particular attention to the ongoing violence by ultranationalist and extremist forces targeting businessmen and journalists, dissenters, the Russian-speaking population and our compatriots. It is time to put an end to the condoning of the Right Sector militants and Svoboda party 'activists',' the statement said.
'The Minister and the Secretary of State agreed to stay in touch over Ukraine, including to discuss ways to de-escalate the situation and assisting the launch of constitutional reform in Ukraine with full participation of all of the country's regions,' the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
Russia deeply concerned by discrimination of Russian speakers in Ukraine - Lavrov to UN chief
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told visiting UN chief Ban Ki-moon on Thursday that Moscow was deeply concerned over 'numerous violations of the rights of Russian-speakers in eastern and southeastern regions of Ukraine,' his ministry said.
'The minister has expressed the Russian Federation's deep concern over multiple violations of the rights of the Russian-speaking population in eastern and southeastern Ukrainian regions, the escalation of tensions by radical groups with the condoning of the Kiev authorities,' the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement posted on its website after the Moscow meeting between Lavrov and Ban.
'He stressed the need for UN assistance to Ukraine for the purpose of normalizing the situation in this country in the interests of long-term stability,' the statement said.
The parties discussed the situation in Ukraine where the acute domestic crisis continues as a result of the unconstitutional change of regime.
Crimea's reunification with Russia is turning point in two nations' destiny - Lavrov
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that on behalf of Russian President Vladimir Putin he proposed the State Duma to approve a set of bills on the accession of Crimea and Sevastopol to Russia.
'On behalf of the Russian president I propose the State Duma approve the draft federal law On Ratifying the Agreement between Russia and Crimea on Crimea's Accession to Russia and Forming New Regions in Russia and draft federal constitutional law On Crimea's Accession to Russia and Forming New Regions of Russia - Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol City of Federal Importance,' Lavrov said at the State Duma meeting on Thursday.
'I am certain that passing the document will become a turning point in the destiny of multi-ethnic nations of Crimea and Russia, who are related with close ties of the historical unity. These nations joining in the framework of one state will certainly help grow wealth and prosperity and is in line with Russia's interests,' Lavrov said.
The referendum in Crimea was carried out in full compliance with international law, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told the Russian State Duma on Thursday as it convened to ratify the laws on the accession of Crimea and Sevastopol to Russia.
'The historic decision on the reunification of Crimea and Russia has been made against the backdrop of the tragic events in Ukraine, following a coup conducted with outside help and amid sorties by radicals and anti-Semites on whom the new power in Ukrainian relies. There is evidence of massive and gross violations of human rights there,' Lavrov said.
The decision on Crimea's accession to Russia is based on the free choice of the Crimeans they expressed at a referendum fully matching international law, the principles of sovereignty and the right to self-determination, he said.
Laws on accession of Crimea, Sevastopol to Russia mark turning point in Crimean, Russian history – Lavrov
The ratification of the laws on the accession of Crimea and Sevastopol to Russia will mark a turning point in the history of the multi-ethnic populations of Russia and Crimea, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said at a ratification hearing in the State Duma, the lower house of parliament, on Thursday.
'I am convinced that the adoption of these documents will mark a turning point in the destinies of the multiethnic populations of Crimea and Russia, which are tied together by close bonds of their common history,' Lavrov said.
'The reunion of our peoples within the framework of a single state will improve their well-being and prosperity and it meets Russia's interests,' he added.
Unilateral sanctions of EU and US against Russia are illegitimate - Lavrov
The sanctions imposed on Russia by the European Union and the United States do not have international legal grounds, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
'Unilateral sanctions have never done any good. They are not legal. And they do not have international legal grounds,' Lavrov said at a State Duma sitting on Thursday.
Unlawful and disruptive acts of radicals in Ukraine continue - Lavrov
Radicals and other extremists in Ukraine, whom the new government relies upon, continue to commit unlawful and disruptive acts, Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, said on Thursday while speaking at the State Duma.
'A historic decision on the reunification of Crimea and Russia takes place against the background of tragic events in Ukraine. A coup was committed in a brotherly country with the support from the outside. To this day, unlawful acts take place there, disruptive actions are daily committed by radicals, anti-Semites and other extremists, whom the new government relies upon,' Lavrov said.
Kiev's threat to confiscate Gazprom property will lead to chain reaction, from which Ukraine will not benefit - Lavrov
Kiev's threat to confiscate Gazprom property will lead to chain reaction, from wich Ukraine will not benefit, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
The treats of the current Ukrainian authorities to take hold on Russian property, including property of Gazprom, could lead to a chain reaction, from which Ukraine will not benefit, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
'I think that it is in no one's interests to begin this battle. Property of Gazprom is not state property as with other business entities of ours. And this initiative [of Ukraine] could lead to a quite complex chain reaction, from which I suppose Ukraine will not benefit,' Lavrov said on Thursday when answering question in the Russian State Duma.
Ukraine's intention to withdraw CIS membership anti-Russian propaganda, will not hold them - Lavrov
The statement made by the new Ukrainian administration on its intention to leave the CIS is a propaganda campaign that contradicts the economic interests of Ukraine, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in the State Duma on Thursday.
'Of course, we are not forcing anyone to stay in the CIS, but I personally have no doubts that this step is being made to carry out another anti-Russian action for pure propaganda purposes, not to secure the true interests of the people of Ukraine, the economy, and the Ukrainian social sphere,' Lavrov said.
Voice of Russia, Interfax, TASS, RIA, AFP
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