Klimkin: Ukraine is Not Considering a New Russian Ambassador
Ukraine is not ready to discuss the candidacy of new a Russian Ambassador because of the lack of positive dynamics on Russian activities in Donbas, Interfax-Ukraine cites Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin.
"So far, we don’t discuss any specific candidacy. First, we seek positive dynamics about the entire context of the Russian aggression and developments in Donbas," he said. Therefore, the appointment of a new Ambassador will be off the agenda until the conditions for further positive advancements are achieved, he summarized.
The Kremlin claims that the approval of the candidacy of Mikhail Babich with Ukraine is underway, Interfax-Ukraine cites Putin’s press secretary Dmitriy Peskov. "It’s not the matter of Ukraine’s refusal to appoint Babich as Ambassador. The respective internal diplomatic procedures are ongoing, they are not supposed to be public," he explained.
"However, if Ukraine decides to lower the level of our diplomatic relations, it’s up to them. We still want Russia to be represented by an ambassador," Peskov claimed.
On August 3, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs on European Integration Olena Zerkal told that the appointment of the new Russian Ambassador to Ukraine is off the agenda.
On July 28, Putin dismissed Ambassador to Ukraine Mikhail Zurabov who served in this capacity since August 2009. On the next day, Russia was reported to request Ukraine’s agreement to Mikhail Babich’s appointment as the new ambassador. Babich is a former military leader and governor of the Chechen Republic.
Source: Ukrayinska Pravda
