Moscow questions whether it is worth holding talks on Ukraine in Geneva format
Russia doubts the appropriateness of holding negotiations on the Ukraine crisis within the so-called Geneva format involving Russia, the EU, the U.S., and Ukraine, which Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatseniuk proposed recently.
"Looking at the current situation, a question arises as to whether it is reasonable to revisit the format that did not produce the desired result. Wouldn't it probably be better for Ukraine first to try to implement what was agreed upon and what it promised to do?" the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a commentary on Thursday.
The Russian foreign minister, the U.S. secretary of state, the Ukrainian foreign minister, and the EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy agreed upon a joint statement at a meeting on April 17, 2014, which stipulated initial practical measures toward de-escalating tensions and restoring security for all citizens, it said.
"It was noted that the parties to the conflict should refrain from any violence, intimidation, or provocative actions. The participants in the meeting strongly condemned and rejected any manifestations of extremism, racism, and religious intolerance, including anti-Semitism. It was stressed inter alia that, in Ukraine, 'the announced constitutional process will be inclusive, transparent, and accountable. It will include the immediate establishment of a broad national dialogue, with outreach to all of Ukraine's regions and political constituencies, and allow for the consideration of public comments and proposed amendments'," it said.
"It is obvious now that all these agreements were blatantly trampled upon by the Ukrainian side. Instead of de-escalation, Kyiv stepped up combat actions in the southeast, using heavy hardware, which has led to thousands of fatalities and large-scale destruction. Instead of conducting true constitutional reform and normalizing dialogue with their own people, they undertook some incomprehensible behind-the-scenes maneuvers, which have led to nothing but empty promises so far," the Foreign Ministry said.