Russian FM criticizes Western new sanctions
俄罗斯外长批评西方新制裁
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said threats by the United States and the European Union to impose new sanctions on Moscow are just a cover to hide their unwillingness to bring an end to the Ukraine crisis.
"I think it is all simply explainable. They are trying to exaggerate a hysterical mood. They are trying to distract attention from the Minsk agreements. And behind these words hides the unwillingness of these figures of particular countries, organisations and the United States and the European Union, to achieve the implementation of what has been agreed in Minsk on 12 February," Lavrov said.
Speaking after a meeting with the ministerial contact group of the Islamic Conference Organization for Palestine and Eastern Jerusalem,Lavrov said everyone is aware that there are no ideal ceasefires, but the US and the EU do not wish to seek the implementation of what was agreed in Minsk.
On Thursday, a Ukrainian military spokesman said cease-fire violations during the night were relatively few, but included shelling in the village of Pisky on the outskirts of Donetsk, the largest rebel-held city.