Lavrov: Kiev's operation in east 'bloody crime'
Iran Press TV
Fri Apr 25, 2014 8:43AM GMT
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has slammed Kiev's security operation in eastern Ukraine, calling it a "bloody crime."
Lavrov made the remarks on Friday and added the interim Kiev government would face justice for the military operation on pro-Russian protesters in the eastern regions.
'They (Kiev) are waging a war on their own people. This is a bloody crime and those who pushed the army to do that will pay, I am sure, and will face justice,' said Lavrov.
This is while Ukraine's acting Interior Minister Arsen Avakov announced on the same day that Kiev is pressing on with its "anti-terrorist operation" in the east, adding it has ample military resources to keep up the offensive around the clock.
On Thursday, Ukrainian troops entered the eastern city of Slavyansk, killing at least five pro-Russian protesters.
Ukraine's acting government relaunched its military operation a day earlier in the eastern regions of Slavyansk, Kramatorsk, Donetsk and Lugansk after it was suspended during the Easter holiday and a Geneva deal signed last week.
On April 17, Ukraine's interim government together with the US, Russia and the European Union 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.
Tensions between Western powers and Moscow heightened after Crimea declared independence from Ukraine and became 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.
CAH/NN
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