At every stage of the Ukrainian crisis Washington has been taking steps that “only promoted further aggravation of the situation,” Russian FM Sergey Lavrov said at the Munich Security Conference.

At every stage of the Ukrainian crisis Washington has been taking steps that “only promoted further aggravation of the situation,” Russian FM Sergey Lavrov said at the Munich Security Conference.

However, there is every chance the peace talks in Moscow could unravel the conflict in Ukraine, Lavrov said, adding that Russia will persist in pursuing the peace process.

“Russia is set to promote the peace process in Ukraine. We consistently stand against further warring, we advocate withdrawal of heavy weapons and initiating direct talks between Kiev and the militia in the Donetsk and Lugansk regions,” Russia’s Foreign Minister stressed.

The opposition currently emerging in Europe to the plans of arming Kiev gives hope that the tragedy of the Ukrainian people will not be exacerbated, Lavrov said.

Russia’s Western partners should realize the scale of the risks in the conflict zones, the Russian FM warned.

The structure of European security has been undermined by the actions of the US and its allies, the head of Russian diplomacy stated.

“European security is based on the UN Charter and Helsinki Declaration principles, long sabotaged by the actions of the US and its allies,” said Lavrov.

He added that the US and Europe should answer a question: are they going to maintain European security with Russia or without.