LAVROV: NO CHANGE IN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES’ POSITION ON UKRAINE CONFLICT

MOSCOW, OCTOBER 27 /SRNA – RIA Novosti/ – Russia sees no change in the position of European countries on the Ukraine conflict, as they keep condemning Moscow and demanding an end to the conflict while ignoring the causes of the crisis, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said.

"So far, we see no change in Europe’s approach, which is adopting document after document, delivers speeches and issues statements condemning Russia and demanding that the aggression be stopped, while completely ignoring what started it all," Lavrov said at a meeting with chief editors of African media outlets.

He noted that European countries had until recently refused to maintain contact with Russia, whereas they are now speaking about the need to restore such contacts.

According to him, nothing new emerged from either his conversation with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul in New York or the telephone conversations between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Finnish President Alexander Stubb.

Lavrov believes that European countries are trying to become involved in the negotiations on Ukraine, but that it remains unclear what positions they would take.

He criticised European leaders who advocate continued support for Ukraine, saying that citizens are being asked to bear the economic and social costs in pursuit of Ukraine’s victory over Russia.