US, Russia clash over Ukraine at Paris meeting
After a four hour meeting in Paris, US and Russian diplomats have announced they still disagree about the Ukraine. US secretary of state John Kerry made it clear that Washington still considered Russia's actions 'illegal and illegitimate', and called for Russia to pull back its forces. His counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, reiterated Russia's belief that the rights of Ukraine's Russian minority could only be guaranteed by the country becoming a federalist state.
Source: The World Today | Duration: 3min 23sec
ELEANOR HALL: To the latest on Ukraine now and the top diplomats from the US and Russia met for four hours in Paris this morning.
While there was no sign of an imminent solution to the crisis, they revealed that they both agreed to involve Ukraine's interim government in any further discussions about the country's future.
North America correspondent Michael Vincent has the latest.
MICHAEL VINCENT: These talks on the worst crisis since the Cold War ended were not a success, nor were they a failure. They were yet another attempt at finding a solution to an evolving situation via dialogue rather than conflict.
US secretary of state John Kerry:
JOHN KERRY: The US and Russia have differences of opinion about the events that led to this crisis. But both of us recognise the importance of finding a diplomatic solution and of simultaneously meeting the needs of the Ukrainian people, and that we agreed on tonight.
MICHAEL VINCENT: The US secretary of state made one thing very clear: he says Russia's actions into Crimea are still considered "illegal and illegitimate" and its actions over the past few weeks have placed it at odds with the rule of law, the international community and the wrong side of history.
And of vital importance now, John Kerry says, Russia must remove its troops from Ukraine's borders.
JOHN KERRY: And yes, we talked very seriously and at length about the impact of the massing of troops, the importance of including the draw-down and redeployment of some of those troops with respect to the process moving forward.
We both made suggestions as to how that might be able to be achieved and I will return to Washington to consult with president Obama about his choices with respect to that.
But in the end, let's be clear, it is Ukrainians who have to ultimately agree to or make any decisions with respect to the road ahead.
MICHAEL VINCENT: And that was the biggest change: Russia acknowledged the interim Ukrainian government and the need for its involvement in future talks.
Both sides agreed on topics that Ukraine needs to address.
Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov:
SERGEI LAVROV (translation): We have agreed to work with the Ukrainian government and people to achieve progress in rights of minorities and linguistic rights, progress in disarming irregular forces and provocateurs and the implementation of an inclusive process of constitutional reform, and conduct of free and honest elections according to objective international criteria.
MICHAEL VINCENT: Soon after the talks concluded the US secretary of state says he was on the phone with Ukraine's interim prime minister. He says it's not up to the United States, nor Russia, to decide that nation's future.
JOHN KERRY: Well, what we're looking for here is a process, not a substantive resolution of each of the issues, because Ukrainians have to do that substance. What we're looking for is how do we de-escalate? How do we get on a track to be able to give the Ukrainians the opportunity that they deserve to be able to do that?
MICHAEL VINCENT: The US, Russia and Ukraine have agreed to meet again soon to continue talks. NATO foreign ministers will meet in Brussels on Tuesday with the crisis high on their agenda.
This is Michael Vincent in Washington for The World Today.