MOSCOW, April 15 (RIA Novosti) – The events that continue unfolding in Ukraine could necessitate a new round of talks at the United Nations Security Council, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov said Tuesday.
“You know that the previous meeting was initiated by Russia. We commented on the current events in Ukraine and drew attention to the tense situation in the country. I do not exclude that the Ukrainian issue will be once again on the table as the events continue unfolding and might require further participation of the UN Security Council and, possibly, its decision,” Gatilov said on the sidelines of events to mark the 60th anniversary of Russia’s membership in UNESCO.
Late on Sunday, the UN Security Council held an emergency meeting focused on the escalation of tensions in eastern Ukrainian regions. During the talks, the Russian delegation urged the US and other countries to assert their influence on the current Ukrainian government in a bid to prevent the use of military force against federalization supporters.
“I hope that our counterparts heard our major call for immediate measures to prevent rushed decisions on the part of the government in eastern Ukraine,” Russia’s UN envoy Vitaly Churkin said following the meeting.
The debate at the UN Security Council came just hours before the deadline set by Ukraine’s interim government for rebels in eastern Ukraine to turn in their weapons and leave occupied government buildings passed with no immediate consequences.
On Monday, Ukraine's speaker of parliament and interim President Olexander Turchynov announced that the National Security and Defense Council had made a decision to start a security operation in eastern Ukraine, involving the armed forces, in a bid to avoid the Crimean scenario in the region.
He later suggested that a UN peacekeeping force could enter eastern Ukraine to resolve the crisis. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the proposal was “over the top,” adding that the Kiev authorities were “inventing fables” to justify their “aggressive intentions.”
Gatilov also said that there was as yet no final agreement on the four-party talks on Ukraine, preliminary slated for Thursday in Geneva, as the participants – Russia, the United States, the European Union and Ukraine – continue their negotiations.
“It is not clear yet. The talks are underway. Minister [Sergei Lavrov] is currently on a diplomatic trip. I think that the issue will be resolved soon as we still have time,” Gatilov told RIA Novosti Tuesday.
Catherine Ashton, the EU's foreign policy chief, and Ukrainian acting Foreign Minister Andrei Deshchitsa are expected to take part in the meeting. Earlier on Monday, US Secretary of State John Kerry also confirmed his participation.
