Lavrov pointed to the build-up of forces by Ukraine in the Donbass and the armed provocations of Kiev

Photo: Press Service of the Russian Foreign Ministry / RIA Novosti

Ukraine is building up its forces in the Donbass and continues armed provocations, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said during a conversation with French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian. This was reported on the website of the Russian diplomatic department.

“It was emphasized that Kiev, with the connivance of Paris and Berlin, which are participants in the Normandy format, defiantly refuses to fulfill its obligations under the Minsk Package of Measures,” the diplomatic service said in a statement.

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that the heads of foreign affairs agencies showed that there was no alternative to the implementation of the Minsk agreements to achieve peace in Ukraine.

According to him, ignoring the rights of Russia in the field of security has a detrimental effect on the situation not only in Europe, but throughout the world.

The aggravation of the situation in the Donbass occurred on February 17. Both sides accuse each other of repeated violations of the truce and shelling of settlements. The Ukrainian authorities reject plans for an offensive in the Donbass, declaring their commitment to a diplomatic settlement.