Lavrov urges Kerry to respect Crimea’s right to independently determine republic’s fate

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had a telephone conversation with US Secretary of State John Kerry on Tuesday to discuss different aspects of settling the situation in Ukraine.

Lavrov urged Kerry “to take into account the interests of all Ukrainians and all regions in order to search for ways to overcome the crisis and respect Crimean residents’ rights to independently determine their fate in compliance with the norms of international law”.

“The foreign ministers of both countries exchanged views on proposals put forth by Russia and the USA to ensure civil peace and accord in Ukraine,” the Russian Foreign Ministry reported.

Lavrov and Kerry “agreed to continue close consultations over Ukraine”, the ministry said.
Providing US financial aid to illegitimate authorities in Ukraine is unlawful, and it goes beyond the US legal framework, Russia's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The US should consider possible consequences of reckless indulgence of radical elements with Nazi overtones in Ukraine and financial support [of such elements], the ministry added.