Russia Says It Will Keep Out of Ukrainian Affairs

Russia’s top diplomat said Tuesday that Moscow will not interfere with affairs in Ukraine as the former Soviet nation scrambles to recover from the outcome of a street-based uprising that culminated in the overthrow of the president.

The Kremlin has reacted with barely disguised anger to the ascent to power by political forces that had until last week occupied the ranks of the opposition, but it has been at pains to convey a non-interventionist stance over developments in Ukraine.

“We have confirmed our principled position to not interfere in Ukraine’s internal affairs and expect all [foreign powers] to follow a similar logic,” said Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

Lavrov said it would be “dangerous and counterproductive” to give Ukraine an ultimatum of “either you’re with us or against us.”