Russia reveals priorities in resolving Ukraine conflict
A spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry said Moscow's stance on resolving the Ukraine conflict remains unchanged - prioritizing addressing the "root causes" of the problem.
According to RIA Novosti on June 22, the official spokeswoman of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova said in an interview with the French publication Journale du Dimanche that Russia's stance on resolving the conflict in Ukraine remains unchanged, prioritizing addressing its root causes.
“Our position remains unchanged: Russia gives absolute priority to resolving the root causes of this conflict. It is important for us to get clear guarantees on Kiev’s non-alignment with NATO, as well as to achieve respect for fundamental rights and freedoms in Ukraine, regardless of language, nationality or religion,” Zakharova said.
Russia is ready to achieve its goals in Ukraine by both political and military means. According to Ms. Zakharova, the international recognition of Crimea, Sevastopol, Donetsk, Lugansk, as well as Kherson and Zaporozhye regions for Russia is a prerequisite.
The Russian diplomat added that the demilitarization and de-fascization of Ukraine, the lifting of sanctions, the refusal of arrest warrants and trials, as well as the return of Russian assets frozen in the West remain on the agenda.
"We support legally binding agreements with reliable mechanisms to ensure Russia's national interests, including in the security sphere, to prevent the recurrence of conflicts. Russia remains ready to achieve these goals by both political and military means," the official spokesman of the Russian Foreign Ministry stressed.
Ms. Zakharova also noted that Kiev's refusal to engage constructively only complicates the situation and creates less favorable conditions for progress.
