In response to a joint resolution issued by NATO on Tuesday condemning the "excessive use of force" by Ukrainian police against anti-government protesters over the weekend, Lavrov said, "I do not understand why NATO adopts such statements."
"We encourage everybody not to interfere" in the situation in Ukraine, he told a news conference after talks with NATO foreign ministers in Brussels, adding that statements in defense of the anti-government protesters in Kiev could create a distorted impression of what is taking place there.
Kiev has witnessed the largest protests since the 2004 Orange Revolution after President Viktor Yanukovych opted not to sign an association agreement with the European Union last month in favor of closer ties with Russia. Hundreds of thousands took to the streets to protest Yanukovych's decision, and Kiev's city hall has been occupied since Sunday.
Russia's position over the matter has pitted it against NATO members, with Lavrov urging the international community to let the Ukrainian government handle the crisis on its own.
"This is the internal business of Ukrainian authorities [whether to sign an agreement or not]," Lavrov said, noting that the Ukrainian opposition had acted violently at recent protests. His words echoed that of President Vladimir Putin, who said earlier this week that what was happening in Ukraine "was not a revolution, but a pogrom."
Lavrov's statements come in sharp contrast to accusations by European leaders last week that Russia had pressured Ukraine into backing out of the EU deal.
Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt wrote on his Twitter account that Ukrainian Foreign Minister Leonid Kozhara admitted during talks ahead of the summit in Vilnius that Kiev had been forced to give in to "Russia's harsh economic pressure."
Russia made a similar accusation against the EU, with Putin saying the planned Association Agreement would only "choke off whole sectors" of Ukraine's economy "just to please" European leaders.
At Wednesday's meeting in Brussels, NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen reassured Lavrov that Russia's concerns over NATO's influence in the former Soviet republics were baseless, pointing out that Ukraine had already made it clear that it did not intend to become a member of NATO.
Rasmussen's comments come a month after Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu named NATO expansion as one of Russia's biggest security threats.
Georgia's newly elected authorities who met with NATO as part of the NATO-Georgia Commission on Wednesday confirmed the intentions of their government to be a full-fledged NATO member, however, highlighting Russia's fears of NATO dominating the former Soviet republics.
Rasmussen said that within the five years since the NATO-Georgia Commission was established, Georgia had moved closer to NATO and become a unique and highly valued partner, an example for other countries in the region. He added that NATO's enlargement could make the Euro-Atlantic region more secure, which would benefit Russia as well.
Georgia contributes to NATO's mission in Afghanistan and intends to continue to assist Afghan forces after 2014.
Lavrov called the organization's expansion to Eastern Europe a violation of commitments to security and integrity made by NATO members at the highest level.
"We are convinced that NATO's expansion, particularly regarding Georgia, is a continuation of the old logic of the Cold War; it not only preserves the division lines that we all pledged to eliminate but also moves these lines further to the east," Lavrov said.
There was some progress at Wednesday's meeting, however.
Foreign ministers agreed on a plan of chemical weapons disposal in Syria, marking a step forward in NATO-Russia Council work.
"We have had a pretty good meeting, exchanged our views on the current situation in the world, expressed our satisfaction with positive shifts on chemical weapons disposal in Syria and the convening of the Geneva-2 peace conference," Lavrov said.
He said Russia believed that the U.S. in particular and NATO in general "would abide by international norms" regarding Syria in the future.
The agreement is designed to ensure the implementation of the joint mission by the United Nations and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons to oversee the destruction of Syria's chemical weapons stockpiles and production facilities, as well as the U.S.-Russia deal on the elimination of Syrian chemical weapons reached in September.
The NATO-Russia Council has also agreed to continue joint activities in the fight against drug trafficking, terrorism and piracy. In addition, the council decided to launch a project to dispose of obsolete ammunition in Russia's Kaliningrad region, which would cost some 50 million euros and take five years.
Rasmussen also said NATO and Russia would begin cooperating in new areas next year, such as mine disposal in Afghanistan, which would "promote stability in Afghanistan and thus in the Euro-Atlantic region."
Lavrov made it clear, however, that Russia would strongly oppose NATO's missile defense plans in Europe. The deal to freeze Iran's nuclear program concluded last month should make a missile defense system in Europe unnecessary, he said.
"Our [NATO] colleagues said the Iran nuclear deal was a breakthrough, so if the deal is fully implemented, this problem is fully resolved, and the Iran nuclear program is put under tight control of the International Atomic Energy Agency, those arguments that are currently cited as a reason for setting up a missile defense system in Europe will be baseless," Lavrov said.
The missile defense issue is an ongoing bone of contention between Russia and NATO, with Russia saying the system could be used against it and NATO saying it is purely meant as a defense against possible threats.
- NATO-Russia Council approves ambitious cooperation plan for 2014
NATO Foreign Ministers together with their Russian
counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, on Wednesday (4 December 2013) agreed to
launch a joint trust fund project to dispose of obsolete and dangerous
ammunition in the Kaliningrad region and discussed pressing
international security issues, with a focus on Afghanistan, Iran and
Syria. “Today, we agreed to launch a project for the disposal of
obsolete and dangerous ammunition in a safe, efficient and
environmentally friendly way”, the Secretary General said. “By doing so,
we will make the environment safer for all those who live near these
stocks of dangerous ammunition. And we will create the conditions for
former military sites to be converted to civilian use.”
NATO and Russia will initiate a
pilot project for the disposal of obsolete and dangerous ammunition in
the Kaliningrad region of Russia. The project will be paid for through
a new trust fund. The total cost of the entire effort is estimated at
around 50 million euros and projected to run five years.
The NATO Russia Council (NRC) also exchanged views on global security issues including Afghanistan, Iran and Syria. The NRC adopted a statement supporting the work of the joint United Nations-Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) mission which is overseeing the destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons stockpiles and production facilities. The Foreign Ministers urged “all Syrian parties to cooperate” with the joint UN-OPCW mission. Ministers urged all Syrian parties to ensure unfettered access and a secure environment for the joint mission. The statement added that NRC member states stand ready to consider further assistance to the mission, if requested. Ministers also made clear that the only solution to the Syrian crisis was an inclusive and Syrian-led political process and they welcomed the decision to convene the International Conference on Syria in Geneva in January 2014.
At their meeting, the NRC also agreed an ambitious programme of joint cooperation activities for 2014. NATO and Russia already cooperate in the fight against narcotics, terrorism and piracy. The Secretary General said that NATO and Russia will explore the potential for cooperation in new areas, notably in mine disposal in Afghanistan and in the fight against roadside bombs more broadly. “This will benefit our shared security. It will allow us to promote stability in Afghanistan, and thus in the Euro-Atlantic region. And it will allow us to improve the protection we give to our troops, our citizens and all those who are threatened by home-made bombs”, the Secretary General said.
http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/news_105502.htm
4/12/13
The NATO Russia Council (NRC) also exchanged views on global security issues including Afghanistan, Iran and Syria. The NRC adopted a statement supporting the work of the joint United Nations-Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) mission which is overseeing the destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons stockpiles and production facilities. The Foreign Ministers urged “all Syrian parties to cooperate” with the joint UN-OPCW mission. Ministers urged all Syrian parties to ensure unfettered access and a secure environment for the joint mission. The statement added that NRC member states stand ready to consider further assistance to the mission, if requested. Ministers also made clear that the only solution to the Syrian crisis was an inclusive and Syrian-led political process and they welcomed the decision to convene the International Conference on Syria in Geneva in January 2014.
At their meeting, the NRC also agreed an ambitious programme of joint cooperation activities for 2014. NATO and Russia already cooperate in the fight against narcotics, terrorism and piracy. The Secretary General said that NATO and Russia will explore the potential for cooperation in new areas, notably in mine disposal in Afghanistan and in the fight against roadside bombs more broadly. “This will benefit our shared security. It will allow us to promote stability in Afghanistan, and thus in the Euro-Atlantic region. And it will allow us to improve the protection we give to our troops, our citizens and all those who are threatened by home-made bombs”, the Secretary General said.
http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/news_105502.htm
4/12/13
GR
FR
DE
ES
IT
RU
EU
Soutenue par les Occidentaux, l'opposition a également reçu l'assentiment des trois ex-présidents qui se sont succédé à la tête de l'Ukraine depuis 1991......
ReplyDeleteUn haut responsable ukrainien proche du président Viktor Ianoukovitch a déclaré ne pas exclure que la question d'élections anticipées soit discutée dans des pourparlers avec l'opposition, dans un entretien diffusé jeudi 5 décembre par la télévision Kanal 5.
"Nous devons mener des pourparlers, nous asseoir à la table des négociations, et en discuter quand seront présentées des propositions", a déclaré le premier vice-Premier ministre, Serguï Arbouzov, dans un entretien mis en ligne sur le site de la chaîne.
Le responsable répondait à une question d'un journaliste qui voulait savoir si le pouvoir était prêt à parler avec l'opposition de l'une de ses principales revendications, l'organisation d'élections anticipées présidentielle et législatives. Sergueï Arbouzov a fait cette déclaration alors que s'ouvre ce jeudi dans la capitale ukrainienne une réunion de l'Organisation pour la sécurité et la coopération en Europe (OSCE).........http://tempsreel.nouvelobs.com/monde/20131205.OBS8451/ukraine-les-occidentaux-affichent-leur-soutien-a-l-opposition.html?xtor=RSS-17
5/12/13
Ukrainische Regierung erwägt vorgezogene Neuwahlen....
DeleteNoch immer protestiert die prowestliche Opposition in der Ukraine. Kurz bevor die OSZE-Außenminister nach Kiew kommen, fordert die Regierung eine Verhandlungslösung.
Der stellvertretende ukrainische Regierungschef Sergej Arbusow hat vorgezogene Neuwahlen zur Beilegung der aktuellen Krise nicht ausgeschlossen. "Wir müssen Gespräche führen, uns an den Verhandlungstisch setzen und über die vorgelegten Vorschläge diskutierten", sagte Arbusow in einem Interview mit dem Fernsehsender Kanal 5 auf die Frage, ob er mit der Opposition über ihre Forderung nach Neuwahlen sprechen würde. Arbusow äußerte sich vor der Eröffnung einer Konferenz der Organisation für Sicherheit und Zusammenarbeit in Europa (OSZE) in Kiew.
Die Proteste der Opposition gegen die Regierung von Präsident Viktor Janukowitsch dauern unvermindert an. Tausende Menschen demonstrierten den 14. Tag in Folge im Zentrum der Hauptstadt für eine Annäherung der Exsowjetrepublik an die Europäische Union. Die Demonstranten fordern den Rücktritt der ukrainischen Führung.......http://www.zeit.de/politik/ausland/2013-12/ukraine-proteste-osze-westerwelle
5/12/13
Rusia critica a la OTAN por declaraciones injerencistas sobre Ucrania....
DeleteEl ministro de Relaciones Exteriores de Rusia, Serguei Lavrov, criticó este miércoles a la Organización del Tratado del Atlántico Norte (OTAN) por sus declaraciones sobre el conflicto político social que vive Ucrania, por considerar que envían una “señal errónea” en un asunto que es, plenamente, de carácter interno.
“Lo que acontece en Ucrania es una cuestión doméstica", enfatizó el Canciller ruso, quien además manifestó su confianza en que las autoridades ucranianas son capaces de gestionar y resolver la situación de forma pacífica.
En ese sentido, el jefe de la Diplomacia rusa llamó a toda la comunidad internacional a no interferir en los asuntos internos del país europeo y permanecer al margen del conflicto.
Lavrov hizo estos señalamientos durante la conferencia de prensa posterior a su participación en la reunión del Consejo OTAN-Rusia, junto con sus homólogos de la Alianza Atlántica en Bruselas, capital de Bélgica.
La OTAN adoptó la víspera una declaración que condena “el excesivo uso de la fuerza contra manifestantes pacíficos” en Ucrania, y urgió al Ejecutivo a “cumplir totalmente con sus compromisos internacionales y garantizar las libertades de expresión y asamblea”.
Ante ello, Lavrov señaló que no sabe “por qué la OTAN adopta tales declaraciones ni por qué el secretario general de la Alianza, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, responde a la pregunta de si Rusia podría enviar tropas a Ucrania. ¿A qué vienen esas preguntas? Están tergiversando el cuadro”.
Asimismo, añadió que esa interpretación de la OTAN “puede crear en mentes perversas y febriles una noción absolutamente incorrecta de lo que está pasando”. “Partimos de que se trata de un asunto interno de Ucrania”, reiteró.
En noviembre pasado, el Gobierno de Kiev suspendió los preparativos para la firma de un acuerdo de asociación con la Unión Europea. Desde entonces se han realizado manifestaciones pro-europeas en diferentes ciudades del país.
Luego de varios días, la represión de una protesta en la capital agudizó la situación y multiplicó el número de manifestantes que se enfrentan con las fuerzas del orden y exigen la dimisión del Gabinete y del presidente.
teleSUR-PressTV-HispanTV/MARL
http://www.telesurtv.net/articulos/2013/12/05/rusia-critica-a-la-otan-por-declaraciones-injerencistas-sobre-ucrania-8725.html
5/12/13
Russia: Iran deal will eliminate need for missile defense in Europe.....
ReplyDeleteRussian FM says that if international deal aimed at preventing Iran from nuclear weapons is implemented fully, there 'no reason' for missile defense plan.
Russia's foreign minister said Wednesday that an international deal aimed at preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons will in the long run eliminate any need for a missile defense system in Europe.
American officials have said the missile defenses it wants to install in Europe will protect NATO allies and counter any threat from Iran. Russia has long opposed the plan, and sees the system as a threat to the viability of Russia's own nuclear arsenal as a deterrent.
In Geneva earlier this month, leading world powers reached a deal with Iran to ensure that its nuclear program remains peaceful.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told reporters after a meeting Wednesday with NATO counterparts there's "no reason" for the missile defense plan if that deal is implemented fully.
http://www.haaretz.com/news/middle-east/1.561675
5/12/13
US to continue missile defence deployment in Europe ...
DeleteWASHINGTON, December 06, 14:59 /ITAR-TASS/. The White House has said that the United States does not intend to abandon the plans to deploy a missile defence system in Europe, otherwise known as the European phased adaptive approach (EPAA), despite the Iranian nuclear programme settlement prospects, the Foreign Policy magazine reported on Friday.
“Our plans regarding missile defense in Europe and our commitment to EPAA as the U.S. contribution to NATO missile defense remain unchanged,” National Security Council spokeswoman Laura Lucas Magnuson said.
The idea of scaling back NATO’s missile defense system was floated by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Wednesday following a meeting with Russian and NATO counterparts. “If the Iranian nuclear programme is placed under the complete and tight control of the IAEA, the reasons that are now given for the creation of the European segment of the missile defense system will become invalid,” said Lavrov.
However, Foreign Policy writes, regardless, the decision to stay firm on the missile shield has sparked rare agreement between the White House and Republican hawks in Congress. “We absolutely must continue to put in place an effective and affordable missile defense system in Europe,” Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK) told the magazine.
“Even if a deal were to work out in the next six months, Iran will retain the ability to enrich nuclear materials to assemble a nuclear weapon in the future, and would be able to field it in far less time than it would take for the U.S. and NATO to deploy a missile defense system in Europe,” said Inhofe. “Furthermore, an effective missile defense system is an important hedge against other nations that might choose to follow in the dangerous footsteps of Iran and North Korea and has an important nonproliferation effect,” the senator believes.
http://en.itar-tass.com/world/710592
6/12/13
Ukraine government says it will not rule out early polls ...
ReplyDeleteThe Ukraine government has not ruled out holding early elections as it seeks a solution to growing unrest over Kiev’s decision to abandon an accord with the European Union, the country’s deputy prime minister has said.
"We have to hold negotiations," said First Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Arbuzov when asked by Ukrainian Channel 5 late Wednesday if he considers snap parliamentary and presidential elections a solution to the ongoing standoff by pro-EU demonstrators across the country.
"Then, when there are official proposals, (we have to) discuss them," he said.
Arbuzov, 37, is seen as a key member of the so-called "Family" of close allies of President Viktor Yanukovich who have a strong influence on the Ukrainian leader................http://www.france24.com/en/20131205-ukraine-government-early-polls-yanukovich?ns_campaign=editorial&ns_source=RSS_public&ns_mchannel=RSS&ns_fee=0&ns_linkname=20131205_ukraine_government_early_polls_yanukovich
5/12/13
Lavrov Tells European Leaders to Stay Out of Ukrainian Crisis...
ReplyDeleteMOSCOW, January 21 (RIA Novosti) – Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused some European governments Tuesday of “indecent” interference in the political crisis in Ukraine.
Lavrov urged European politicians to stop interfering in Ukraine's affairs and fanning the worsening confrontation between the government and opposition demonstrators in the former Soviet state.
“We’d prefer that some of our European colleagues would not act so unceremoniously over the Ukrainian crisis, when without any invitations members of some European governments hurried to Maidan and took part in anti-government demonstrations,” Lavrov told reporters at a news conference, referring to the mass rallies at Kiev's central square.
“It was just indecent,” he said.
Anti-government protests started in Kiev late November when demonstrators occupied the central Independence Square following Kiev’s decision to pull back from economic integration with the European Union in favor of closer trade links with Russia.
The opposition protests have been visited by numerous foreign state officials who have denounced the Ukrainian government’s policy, including the EU’s foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton last month.
Lavrov said the situation in Kiev was “spinning out of control” as fierce fighting between protesters and riot police continued for a third day on Tuesday.
He suggested that the riots, which began after Ukraine’s parliament hurriedly passed a new package of laws last week imposing strict limits on protests, had been partly influenced from abroad.
http://en.ria.ru/world/20140121/186763978/Lavrov-Tells-European-Leaders-to-Stay-Out-of-Ukrainian-Crisis.html
21/1/13