Russia promised on Tuesday to assist efforts by Ukraine’s President-elect if he moves to negotiate a peaceful end to the unrest in eastern Ukraine, but strongly warned him against trying to score a quick military victory against the rebels.
Foreign Minister Sergey lavrov urged an end to fighting in eastern Ukraine, where Government forces fought insurgents on Monday over Ukraine’s second-largest airport in Donetsk, using jets and helicopter gunships. Dozens were reported killed. Petro Poroshenko, who won Ukraine’s presidential vote on Sunday, pledged to negotiate with the east but also vowed to uproot the pro-Russia separatists.
‘Ready to work with everyone for settlement’
Moscow: Russia’s Foreign Minister, Sergei lavrov said on Tuesday that Russia is ready to cooperate with everyone who desires a faster solution to the Ukraine crisis.
“Moscow has been interested in a sooner settlement in Ukraine and Russia is ready to cooperate with everyone who wants the same,” Xinhua quoted lavrov as saying, referring to Ukraine’s possible incoming president Petro Poroshenko.
He said the interests of the entire Ukrainian nation need to be taken into account while resolving the crisis.