MFA: Russia ready for aggression against Ukraine

Ukraine comments on Lavrov's threats on Russia Today.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine released a comment on the remark by Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov in an interview with Russia Today. It says Ukraine regards these statements as Russia's readiness to launch an aggression against the country.

“Amid the steps taken by Ukraine to implement the Geneva agreements honestly and in full, the threats by Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov in an interview with Russian TV channel Russia Today on April 23 of using Russian armed forced in response to legal anti-terrorist and anti-separatist measures in Ukraine appears to be an absolute dissonance,” the comment says.

The mentioned remarks were regarded by the MFA as Russia's readiness to launch an aggression against Ukraine and to continue the Russian troops concentration on the border with Ukraine.

“Using assumptions in the interview that Ukraine can attack the interests of Russia and the Russians, attacks on Russian citizens look flagrantly unfounded amid the efforts taken by Ukraine to de-escalate the conflict and solve it peacefully.

The anti-terror operation, which is currently under way, is carried out in full compliance with the acting legislation of Ukraine and the international obligations undertaken by Ukraine, and is aimed at protecting the residents of Ukraine's eastern regions from terroristic and other illegal actions, as well as at putting an end to violence,” the MFA says.

The Ukrainian MFA called on the Russian Federation to strictly observe the norms of international law, in particular, respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within internationally recognised borders.

Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said on April 23 Russia could use its army against Ukraine.