‘We don’t have a common vision’

LONDON. — Differences remain between Russia and the US in their approaches to the situation in Ukraine, Sergei Lavrov said after holding “useful” talks with Secretary of State John Kerry.
“We haven’t got a common vision in terms of practical steps that foreign countries – Ukraine’s foreign partners – could take. But the talks were certainly helpful to get a better idea of how well we understand each other in the present situation,” Lavrov said. Kerry did not threaten Moscow with any sanctions over Ukraine, the minister said following six hours of talks with him in London.

Russia’s partners understand that sanctions would be counterproductive, he added. Russia has not and “cannot have” any plans to invade south-eastern regions of Ukraine, Lavrov told reporters.

In Moscow’s view, “the rights of Russians, Hungarians, Bulgarians and Ukrainians must be observed and protected,” he said. “Our partners also understand that sanctions are a counterproductive instrument. If such a decision is made in Western capitals, it would be their decision,” Lavrov said.

“But that certainly would not be for the benefit of mutual interests, and for the development of our partnership.”
Speaking about the Western-backed idea to set up an international contact group to find a solution to the Ukrainian political crisis, Lavrov said that Moscow disagrees with its proposed format. — RT.