Russia: Ukrainian opposition flouted peace deal

MOSCOW, Feb. 24 (UPI) -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry Sunday that the Ukrainian opposition has flouted the peace deal signed Friday and had seized power.

Lavrov said that the opposition violated the peace deal, seized power, refuses to lay down arms, and continues to place their bets on violence. "By dragging Ukraine to one side, telling it needs to choose either/or, either with the EU or with Russia, the European Union is in fact trying to create such a sphere of influence," said Lavrov.

Kerry stressed the U.S. expectation that Ukraine's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and democratic freedom of choice be respected by all states.

[Chicago Tribune]