The Ambassador in Ukraine back to Russia, according to the Foreign Minister this is “illegitimate” government and the West are guided by unilateral goals. PM Medvedev: EU and US support this course is an “aberration”
We had to wait for a couple of days, then the Russian reaction to the Ukrainian political earthquake has come. After the initial caution, Moscow has recalled its Ambassador in Ukraine, bashing heavily the protagonist of the situation. An official note from the Russian Foreign Minister condemns the new “dictatorial course” taken in Kiev after the removal of President Yanukovich, and expresses “deep concern about legitimate actions taken by the Verkhvna Rada.” The Foreign Minister denouonces ‘discriminations’ in the country against Russian citizens and russian-speaking people in Ukraine: “We hear calls for putting a ban on the Russian language, eliminating parties and organizations, and closing dissenting mass media, and suppressing the restrictions on neo-Nazi propaganda.” And then: “Ukraine has pursued a policy towards suppressing discontent people by dictatorial, sometimes by terrorist means.”
The European Union is under attack too: “We must note that certain Western partners are guide by unilateral geopolitical goals. There are no principled assessments on extremists’ actions, including the neo-Nazi and anti-Semitist manifestations,” the Ministry said. Furthermore, Russia expressed its surprise for several European politicians upholding early presidential elections on May 25, given that “the agreement of 21 February says the elections should take part after the constitutional reform is over.” Hence, according to Russia, it is clear that “the agreement is used as a cover to promote coercitive scenarios in Ukraine through mentioning ‘facts on the ground’ without any wish to search for consensus to reach national accord.”
“Great concern” aroused by the attemps made to involve the United Nations in order to justify this policy, adds the note. It is clear that “all regions should take part in the refrom, and its results should be submitted to a referendum,” said the Ministry.
Dmitry Medvedev, the Russian Prime Minister, said the revolt was led by “armed mutineers” and “now our interest, our citizens’ life and safety are threatened.” He added that “it is an aberration [by the European Union and the United States] to call legitimate what is essentially the result of an armed mutiny.”
