Foreign Office meeting with Russian Deputy Ambassador
Senior Foreign Office official meets Russian Deputy Ambassador and urges Russia to step back from actions provoking instability in Ukraine.
A Foreign Office official, Sian MacLeod, Additional Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, today met Russian Deputy Ambassador Alexander Kramarenko at his request. In response to Mr Kramarenko’s representations, the Director said that the Foreign Office could not be expected to comment upon reports of private conversations, and restated the government’s hope that ahead of the Ukrainian presidential elections Russia would step back from comment or actions provoking instability in Ukraine.
A Foreign Office spokesperson said:
This weekend, the Ukrainian people will vote in one of the most important elections in their history. As the Foreign Secretary has repeatedly made clear, they have the right to choose their own government in a free and fair election and Russia must exercise its influence to restrain those responsible for violence and disorder.
People and governments across the world strongly condemn Russia’s actions in Ukraine including the illegal annexation of Crimea, and the provoking of instability on the territory of a sovereign neighbour.
The UK urges Russia to step back from actions that cause instability and conflict, and lead to international condemnation: continued instability in Ukraine is in no-one’s long term interests.
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