Russia warns against meddling in Ukraine affairs

Russia has warned against interference in the internal affairs of Ukraine, saying that forcing Kiev to choose between close ties with Russia and the West is “dangerous.”

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said during a joint press conference with Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn in Moscow on Tuesday, “It is dangerous and counterproductive to try to force upon Ukraine a choice on the principle: ‘You are either with us or against us.’”

The Russian foreign minister also warned the European Union and the United States against meddling in the internal affairs of Ukraine.

He urged the West to use contacts with various political forces in Ukraine for peacemaking.

Lavrov also reaffirmed Russia’s principled position of non-interference in Ukraine’s affairs.

The comments come as Ukraine’s parliament put off plans to vote on the formation of a national unity government till February 27 to allow consultations to continue.

The vote had been expected to take place on Tuesday.

Ukraine has been rocked by anti-government protests since ousted President Viktor Yanukovych refrained from signing an Association Agreement with the European Union on November 29, 2013 in favor of close ties with Russia.

Earlier this week, Russia summoned its ambassador to Kiev to discuss what Moscow called the “deteriorating situation” in Ukraine. The call came a day after Yanukovych was ousted by the parliament.

Lavrov said previously that the opposition has grabbed power by inciting violence and deviating from an earlier peace agreement with the government.