Russia FM Lavrov rules out foreign mediation in standoff with Ukraine
274 views · Published 3 December 2018 · 1:20 · Indexed 21 September 2026
Channel: AP Archive · 2018 · News & Politics
(27 Nov 2018) Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is rejecting foreign mediation in Russia's standoff with Ukraine over Ukrainian ships seized near Crimea. Lavrov said in Paris on Tuesday, "I don't see a need for any kind of mediators." He spoke after Germany's foreign minister suggested that Germany, France, Russia and Ukraine could work together to resolve the tensions. Lavrov said that to ensure such incidents don't happen again, Ukraine's Western backers should send a "strong signal" to Kiev to stop any "provocations." Lavrov reiterated Russia's stance that Ukraine "intentionally provoked" Russian authorities by entering maritime space near Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014. Russia seized three Ukrainian ships and detained the crew Sunday in the Kerch Strait, while Ukraine says Russia had no right to stop the ships. Lavrov spoke after meeting with French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, who appeared to soften his criticism of Russia's seizure. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/ You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/ddd228a8f48c37af4dd0db45317c9363
