Emotional tension which exists in Ukrainian-Russian relations is explained by a row or provocative statements and actions of the Ukrainian side. Head of the Foreign Ministry of the Russian Federation, Serhiy Lavrov said.
“Maybe today’s emotions around Sevastopol and in general around Russian-Ukrainian relations wouldn’t take place, if they hadn’t been preceded by a row of statements, actions, which, in my opinion, have a provocative character,” he stated at the press conference.
According to the Minister, “in the past some politicians in Ukraine demanded to withdraw the Black Sea Fleet from Sevastopol”. “Then, we have recently received official proposition to start to determine the order and conditions of the Black Sea Fleet withdrawal, although the Agreement with Ukraine remains valid until 2017,” Lavrov added.
“Then we had such episode as the attempt of the Ukrainian authority to prohibit the parade, dedicated to the sacred date – 225th anniversary of the Black Sea Fleet,” the Minister said.
