Negotiation with Russia impossible without mediator, says Ukrainian PM

KIEV, Ukraine, May 27 (UPI) -- Ukraine will not engage in direct talks with Russia without the presence of a mediator, declared Ukraine's prime minister on Tuesday.

Speaking at a Ukrainian cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk said that bilateral negotiation with Moscow is not possible given the possibility of Russian "deceit."

"The government's position concerning talks with the Russian Federation remains unchanged as well: in present-day conditions, bilateral negotiations are not considered possible without the presence of the U.S. and the European Union."

Yatsenyuk's statement comes days after Petro Poroshenko was elected Ukraine's new president.