Independence Square (the Maidan) in Kiev
Photo:
| Other Photos |
 |
|
 |
Moscow Criticizes Kiev
The Russian Foreign Ministry has issued an official statement expressing concern that Ukrainian policy “is leading to deteriorating bilateral ties and causing serious concern in Russia.” The statement notes that “this is especially clearly seen in connection with Georgian aggression against South Ossetia. We have heard no words of regret and sympathy in connection with the deaths of civilian residents of Tskhinvali and Russian peacekeepers. On the contrary, the president of Ukraine has tried to lay the blame for the bloodshed on Russia. At the same time, Kiev remains stubbornly silent about the fact that the Ukrainian side bears a share of the responsibility for the bloodshed because of its deliveries of heavy arms to the Georgian army.”
The statement also mentions Kiev’s continuing pursuit of NATO membership, in contravention of the 1997 Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation and Partnership and the interests of Russia. Furthermore, “it is being done against the will of the Ukrainian people,” the statement claims. It goes on to object to the continual questions raised about the presence of the Russian Black Sea Fleet on Ukrainian territory, which “damages the atmosphere of our relations and undermines the course of the normal negotiating process.”
The statement also accuses Kiev of violating agreements by refusing entry into Ukraine to Russian legislators and politicians and of “reconsidering out common history in an anti-Russian spirit, making heroes of collaborators with fascism.” Furthermore, it continues, the rights of the Russian-speaking population of Ukraine are being compromised, and the Russian language is being excluded from public life, science, education, culture and the mass media in the country.
“The Russian people continue to have the warmest and most sincerely feeling for the fraternal Ukrainian people,” the statement concludes. “Acknowledging our historical responsibility for the fate of Russian-Ukrainian relations and striving to strengthen friendly ties with the Ukrainian state, we assume the 1997 treaty will be extended for another ten years. That treaty comes up for renewal on October 10 of this year.
www.kommersant.com
|
|
|
