Prospects for reconciliation between Russia and Ukraine depend on the Kremlin
Both sides must have goodwill for reconciliation, but Ukrainian officials say the prospect of improved relations between the two countries largely depends on Russia.
Russia and Ukraine can only reconcile with each other if there is a "will from both sides", said Georgi Tuka, Deputy Minister for the Temporarily Occupied Territories and Internal Personnel Transfers of Ukraine.
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| Ukrainian Army. (Photo: AP) |
According to Mr. Georgi Tuka, the prospect of improving relations between the two countries depends mainly on Russia. He believes that the leaders in Ukraine do not have certain prejudices against the Russian people.
Relations between Russia and Ukraine have been tense since Crimea joined the Russian Federation in a referendum in March 2014. More than 95% of the peninsula's population voted to rejoin Russia.
The Ukrainian government still considers Crimea to be "temporarily occupied territory" while Russia has repeatedly stated that the peninsula's annexation into the Russian Federation does not violate international law norms and the United Nations Charter.