Kiev’s illegal use of force damages talks: Russia

The Russian Foreign Minister has warned the acting government in Kiev of using “criminal force” against pro-Moscow protesters in Ukraine.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Tuesday said the move would undermine Kiev’s attempts at dialogue with pro-Russian protesters in the east of Ukraine.

“One cannot issue invitations to talks while at the same time issuing criminal orders for the use of armed force against the people there,” he said.

Lavrov also highlighted the four-party talks planned in Geneva between Russia, the United States, the European Union and Ukraine.

“You can’t send in tanks and at the same time hold talks, and the use of force would sabotage the opportunity offered by the four-party negotiations in Geneva,” Lavrov said.

The Russian Minister said Moscow welcomes signs that the government in Kiev is preparing for dialogue, calling it a step in the right direction.

“In principle we are prepared for this meeting and we think its format will be rather useful for telling our American partners and partners in the European Union directly, that those whom they have brought to power should be persuaded to respect their own people and to start a genuine, not cosmetic or closed-door and covert constitutional reform, with all the regions equally represented and with all major political forces involved in disarming illegal formations and de-escalating the situation,” Lavrov said.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s acting President Oleksandr Turchynov said during a parliamentary meeting on Tuesday that Russia is accused of having “brutal plans to destabilize the southeast of his country.”

“Russia had and continues to have brutal plans…They want to set fire not only to the Donetsk region but to the entire south and east — from Kharkiv to the Odessa region,” Turchynov said.

The eastern cities in Ukraine are now bracing for military action due to Kiev’s threats of launching an “anti-terrorism operation” to end the ongoing protests.

Pro-Russian rallies gained momentum in Ukraine after Crimea declared independence from the former Soviet state and formally applied to become part of the Russian Federation following a referendum on March 16, in which nearly 97 percent of the participants voted for reunion with Russia, with a turnout of more than 83 percent.