Russia warns NATO of dangers of weapons supply to Ukraine

Russia has warned NATO member-countries of dangers of weapons supply to Ukraine which makes an illusion that a military solution to the conflict is possible, Russia's representative to NATO Alexander Grushko has said on Thursday, while commenting on a planned meeting of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council, where issues of the Ukraine crisis were discussed.

"We have pointed out the danger of supplying Ukraine with weapons and rendering military assistance to it. It contradicts the Minsk agreements and makes an illusion that the crisis can be settled by military means," he stressed adding that the EAPC members agreed that the military option was not a solution.

"All the participants admit that the Ukrainian crisis can be resolved through a political way only based on the Minsk agreements. The question is if everyone is ready to achieve it in deed not in name," he continued. Grushko also informed that Russia briefed NATO and EAPC members on how the Minsk agreements are fulfilled. He mentioned "significant progress in the grassroots".

“We have made familiar the EAPC members with data confirming continuing shelling of self-defense forces by the Ukrainian troops. We have called the Ukrainian authorities to withdraw all heavy weapons from the contact line without preconditions and within previously agreed time limits,” Grushko added. He also said that Russia speaks for strengthening of the OSCE mission taking into account its tasks, including patrolling of the area near the contact line. Besides, the Russian party informed the council on its large-scale humanitarian aid to Donbass people.

According to him, representatives of EAPC member-countries did not contest Russia’s arguments on conformity of the Crimean vote on rejoining Russia.