Russia strongly reacts to EU's remarks that India should 'persuade' Moscow on Ukraine

NEW DELHI: Russia today reacted sharply to EU's comments that India should "persuade" Moscow over events in Ukraine, saying it is "sly distortion" of the core reasons which led to the intra-Ukrainian conflict and alleged that with tacit support of the US and EU a violent coup took place in Kiev in February 2014.

"The reported call of the European Union's envoy to India to 'persuade' Russia over events in Eastern regions of the Ukraine is a case of sheer duplicity and sly distortion of the core reasons which led to the intra-Ukrainian conflict," Russian embassy here said in a strongly-worded statement.

"The EU should retrospect on its own policy of appeasement instead of trying to seek India's services in persuading Russia to do something. Such kind of 'persuasion' is alien to Russia-India relations.

"Our special and privileged strategic partnership has no relation to the West's blunders in their policies towards the Ukraine and Kiev's self-induced crisis. We highly value India's balanced and independent approach to this issue," it further added.

It alleged that "With tacit support of the US and EU a violent coup d'etat took place in Kiev in February 2014."

Taking a dig at EU, Russia said it should better think how to pay that country's bills for natural gas and bail out its economy from falling into the abyss.

"And, lastly, a piece of friendly advice - do not try to meddle in Russia-India relations. They are immune to such kind of unsolicited and impolite interventions from outside," the statement said.

Russia's strong reaction came a day after EU Ambassador Joao Cravinho said, "India's privileged relations with Russia and longstanding relationship with it should build the basis for promotion of a greater understanding (on the issue). We hope that India, in its interactions with Russia, should express concerns with regard to territorial integrity (of Ukraine), with regard to maintenance of ceasefire agreements that was agreed upon."

The necessity of an inclusive Ukrainian dialogue, peaceful resolution of the conflict, through talks, and non-acceptance of the notorious and counterproductive sanctions -are not these components of India's position consonant with the stand taken by Russia, and, partly, by the EU itself?, the Russian embassy statement said.