Istanbul [Turkey], April 20 (ANI/Sputnik): Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told his Turkish counterpart, Mevlut Cavusoglu, during their phone conversation that the outcome of negotiations with Ukraine depended on Kyiv’s readiness to take into account Moscow’s legitimate demands, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.
“With regard to the prospects for the Russian-Ukrainian negotiation process, the immutability of the principled Russian position was confirmed: the outcome of the negotiations depends entirely on Kyiv’s readiness to take into account our legitimate demands,” the ministry said.
Cavusoglu expressed gratitude for the assistance provided by the Russian special forces in releasing the hostages held by militants in a mosque in Mariupol. Lavrov and Cavusoglu discussed possible joint steps between the foreign and defense ministries to ensure the security of civilians in Ukraine, including foreigners.
In addition, Lavrov, in a conversation with Cavusoglu, said that “the responsibility for the difficult humanitarian situation in the combat areas lies with the Ukrainian right-wing radical nationalist battalions, which use the civilian population as a ‘human shield’ and refuse to use the humanitarian corridors regularly provided by the Russian military.” (ANI/Sputnik)
US places visa restrictions on 635 Russian nationals, 3 officials
Washington [US], April 21 (ANI/Sputnik): The United States is imposing visa restrictions on 635 Russian nationals for alleged activities that threaten Ukraine as well as on three Russian officials for purported involvement in human rights abuses in Donbas, the Treasury Department said on Wednesday (local time).
“The United States is imposing visa restrictions on 635 Russian nationals who are involved in suppressing dissent in Russia and abroad, who have been involved in activities that threaten the territorial integrity of Ukraine, and who have been involved in human rights abuses in prison facilities and places of unofficial detention in Russia-controlled areas of the Donbas region of Ukraine,” the press release said.
The US State Department in coordination with the Treasury Department is also placing visa restrictions on 17 individuals allegedly responsible for undermining democracy in Belarus, the press release also said.
The State Department is expected to soon release a statement with further details on the restrictions. (ANI/Sputnik)
