HOMYEL (Sputnik) — The deputy foreign minister also stressed that the desired normalization of bilateral relations in reality could only be reached after the achievement of sustainable peace and stabilization of crisis in Ukraine.
“Despite the current difficult period in relations between Russia and Ukraine, we are interested in normalization of the ties and the pragmatic cooperation with Ukrainian partner in all areas of bilateral cooperation … We would like to have a sustainable and predicable partner,” Karasin said.
The relations between Moscow and Kiev soured in 2014 following Crimea's reunification with Russia and beginning of a military conflict in Ukraine's eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk. Kiev accused Moscow of fueling tensions in eastern Ukraine. Moscow refuted any involvement in the conflict.