Sergey Lavrov, the foreign minister of Russia, accused the West on Friday of trying to seize control of Ukraine.
He also said pro-Russian fighters would gladly put down their arms and abandon their fight, if only Ukraine’s government would clear out the Maidan protest camp that’s established itself in the capital city of Kiev, The Associated Press reported.
“The West wants — and this is how it all began — to seize control of Ukraine because of their own political ambitions, not in the interests of the Ukrainian people,” Mr. Lavrov said, AP reported.
He went on: Pro-Russian insurgents “will be ready” to leave the buildings they presently occupy “only if Kiev authorities get down to implementing the Geneva accords, clear out that shameful Maidan and liberate the buildings that have been illegally seized.”
As Secretary of State John Kerry noted on Thursday, Russia has been making similar promises to try and stand down its supporting insurgent forces for a week, but it’s been all talk and no action.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.