Russia's Foreign Ministry's 'Tough' Response to France

The actions of France and other European countries are aimed at thwarting any progress towards resolving the Ukrainian crisis, stated the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“Neither France nor other EU countries are currently participants in the negotiation process. Moreover, all actions by Paris and other Europeans are directed at undermining any positive movement regarding the Ukrainian crisis within the framework of trilateral contacts involving the United States,” the ministry's statement published on its website said.

“From France, we see not constructive proposals aimed at finding mutually acceptable solutions, but attempts to initiate parallel initiatives, the results of which could be attempted to impose on Russia in the form of ultimatums,” the department noted. The Russian Foreign Ministry emphasized that such a 'non-diplomatic' approach, which is completely detached from the actual situation on the ground, is doomed to failure from the outset.