Klimkin: Ukraine Won’t Break Off Diplomatic Relations with Russia

Ukraine is not going to break off diplomatic relations with Russia, Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin said in an interview to Austrian media outlet Der Standard.

"We keep the diplomatic relations irrespective of Russian aggression. We have millions of Ukrainians in Russia whom we care about. If Russia decides to cut relations off, it would be its responsibility," Klimkin said.

Commenting on the crisis escalation in Ukraine-Russia relations over Crimea, Klimkin hinted that the Kremlin could do so further on the eve of parliamentary elections in Russia. "Maybe, it aimed at mobilizing the Crimean population, because they aren’t so optimistic. So far, we don’t know what’s behind the next wave of Russian aggression, but it’s extremely dangerous," he highlighted.

"A total of 50,000 Russian soldiers are deployed in the occupied Crimea. They can organize provocations and attack Ukraine. We have to be ready for any developments," he added.

Klimkin also asserted that Ukraine will continue trying to reach an agreement with Russia about Crimea. "We understand that Russia won’t discuss the status of Crimea. But we have a lot of other urgent matters: human rights, access for international organizations, control of air and sea space, etc. We need cooperation to provide necessary solutions," he stressed.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated earlier that Russia did not plan to break off diplomatic relations with Ukraine.

Source: Ukrayinska Pravda