Russia: Causes of Ukraine Conflict Must Be Resolved Before CeasefireMoscow, 24 Feb (ONA) — The Russian Foreign Ministry warned that
a ceasefire in Ukraine without addressing the root causes of the
conflict could lead to dire consequences, including negative impacts
on Russian-US relations.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told Sputnik that
Russia had not yet reached a major understanding with the US, despite
the US’ desire to move towards a ceasefire soon.

He stressed that stopping the fighting without a long-term
settlement would lead to a renewal of the conflict with more serious
consequences, and referred to the need to address the real causes
behind the Ukrainian crisis.

Ryabkov explained that the roots of the conflict are embodied in
the unrestrained expansion of NATO, the rise of a government in Kyiv
through a coup, in addition to the disregard of the Minsk agreements
by western countries. He stressed that any long-term solution must
include guarantees against NATO expansion, and the protection of the
rights of Russian speakers in Ukraine, which he said had been
subjected to violations.

The remarks came after high-level Russian-US talks in Riyadh last
week, where Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced that the
two sides had agreed to create conditions for the resumption of
cooperation between Moscow and Washington, and to remove obstacles to
the work of the two countries’ embassies. It was also agreed to
establish working groups to discuss ways to resolve the Ukrainian
crisis quickly.— Ends/Khalid