Russia says can work with West on Ukraine but sets out conditions

Source: Reuters

(Reuters) - Russia said on Thursday it is prepared to work with the West on resolving the crisis in Ukraine but that the interests of all Ukrainians must be taken into account and any agreements reached must be implemented.

After the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovich, Russia has accused Ukraine's new leaders of violating a Western-backed peace deal and of ignoring the interests of Ukrainians in Russian-speaking regions of the east and south.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said Western states had rejected Russian proposals for joint efforts to resolve the crisis "before it shifted to its hot phase.

"Nonetheless, we are ready for interaction, with the clear understanding that it will be honest and based on the ability not just to agree but to implement agreements that must take the interests of the entire Ukrainian people into account."

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/27/us-ukraine-crisis-russia-west-idUSBREA1Q1GW20140227