Moscow -
Russia on Wednesday accused the United States of controlling the actions of the pro-West Ukrainian government, saying that Washington was now “running the show” in Kiev.
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told the state-controlled RT English language channel in an interview that Ukraine had chosen to relaunch military operations against separatists in the east during a visit to Kiev by US Vice-President Joe Biden.
“This means we have no reason not to believe that the Americans are running the show in the most direct way,” said Lavrov in an interview to be broadcast later in the day, excerpts of which were published by Russian news agencies.
He reaffirmed Moscow's belief that the Ukrainian government had failed to carry out any of its obligations under the agreement reached in Geneva last week aimed at de-escalating the crisis.
“Nothing that was agreed in Geneva that the Kiev authorities had to carry out has been implemented by them,” he complained.
RT on its website also quoted Lavrov as saying that if Russia was attacked it would respond in line with international law but did not give further details.
Relations between Russia and the West have dived to a post-Cold War low after the ousting of president Viktor Yanukovich which Moscow denounced as an illegal takeover of power. - Sapa-AFP