Russia demands Ukraine explain intention to close border (Sergei Lavrov)

Visiting Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Monday said his country expects an explanation from Ukraine over the latter's intention to close the state border with Russia.

Lavrov made the statement after a meeting with his Belarusian counterpart Vladimir Makei in Minsk, capital of Belarus, Monday, saying the plan of Ukrainian authorities to close the Russian- Ukrainian border is unclear for now.

"If they refer to closing any channels for free movement of our citizens, including migrant workers, we would like to understand why exactly this is to be done," Lavrov said. "They talk about closing the borders unilaterally, so we have difficulty commenting here."

While warning that the international community should pay special attention to the task of curbing radicals and neo-Nazis in Ukraine, the Russian foreign minister stressed the need to respond to the situation in light of the recent events, including Saturday 's attack on the Russian embassy in Kiev, the capital of Ukraine, and the need for an immediate end to the security operations in southeast Ukraine and the need for a durable ceasefire.
MINSK, June 16 (Xinhua)
[cntv.cn]
17/6/14
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