Interfax: Lavrov favors direct dialogue as way to resolve Ukrainian crisis

YEREVAN. June 23 (Interfax) – Possible connections between militiamen fighting in eastern Ukraine and members of the Russian political establishment may be explained with the latter’s origin from Soviet structures, said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

“As to the connection with the domestic political establishment: the whole establishment is originated from the single state, the Soviet Union,” he told a press conference in Yerevan on Monday answering a question why federalization campaigners were frequently linked to members of the Russian political establishment.

Speaking about the structure Ukraine should develop in the federalization type suggested by Russia, Lavrov said that decision had to be made at negotiations.

“The country is experiencing a profound crisis of statehood and they won’t be able to suppress a part of the country and bend it to the other’s will. And if they do, the settlement will not be lasting,” the Russian foreign minister opined.

Decisions pertaining to state structure issues, among them a status of regions, should be made exclusively at direct negotiations, he said.

This is why Moscow is actively supporting the effort “to launch at least an indirect dialogue for starters,” Lavrov said. He hopes direct negotiations will begin at some point.

“We are far from being guided with geopolitical ambitions. The objective is to save lives of people who are still dying, among them Russian journalists,” Lavrov said.

“We presume there is no alternative to ceasefire, which should not just be declared but actually happen,” he said.