Sergey Lavrov, Russia`s Foreign Minister, believes that Kyiv needs to switch to direct talks with `authorities` of the occupied cities of Luhansk and Donetsk to effectively solve Donbas conflict, Ukraine Today reports citing Europeiska Pravda.
Lavrov made the statement during a meeting of 23rd OSCE Ministerial Council, which began on Thursday in the German city of Hamburg, Europeiska Pravda correspondent reports, according to Ukraine Today.
”There is no alternative to the direct talks between Kyiv and Donbas, mediated by Trilateral contact group and Normandy format,” Lavrov stated.
Russia`s top diplomat also rebuked western states for the accusations against Russia as to Ukraine and Syria.
”If you want to invite a partner for a dialogue, you should not start the dialogue with accusations,” he said.
The day before, Lavrov`s German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier demanded that Russia cooperate constructively to help defuse growing tensions in Europe.
Steinmeier accused Russia of bringing ”question of war and peace” back to Europe by having annexed Ukraine`s Crimea.
