US, EU orchestrated color revolution in Ukraine: Russia
Iran Press TV
Thu Apr 24, 2014 8:36AM GMT
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has accused the United States and the European Union of having orchestrated a "color revolution" in Ukraine.
"In Ukraine, there was an attempt by the US and the EU - let's call things by their proper names - to organize another 'color revolution,' an operation to change the regime unconstitutionally," Lavrov said during a speech at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) on Thursday.
The top Russian diplomat also warned that the West is seeking to use Ukraine "as a pawn in its geopolitical game" in the region.
Lavrov had earlier cautioned that Moscow will respond - as it did in Georgia six years ago - if its interests are attacked in Ukraine.
On April 17, Kiev's interim government together with the US, Russia and the EU reached an agreement in the Swiss city of Geneva, calling for all sides to ease the ongoing crisis in eastern Ukraine, where anti-Kiev protesters keep occupying state buildings in several towns and cities.
Four days later, however, the Kiev government ordered a re-launch of its controversial "anti-terrorist operations" in eastern Ukraine in a bid to root out the pro-Russian protests.
Tensions between Western powers and Moscow heightened after Crimea declared independence from Ukraine and formally applied to become part of Russia following a referendum on March 16, in which almost 97 percent of the participants voted for rejoining the Russian Federation, with a turnout of over 83 percent.
SSM/HJL
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