Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (L) shakes hands with his Slovak counterpart Miroslav Lajcak Bratislava, capital of Slovakia, April 4, 2015. The only alternative to achieve a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Ukraine is to observe Minsk agreement, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told a press conference here on Saturday. Photo: Xinhua

 

The only alternative to achieve a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Ukraine is to observe Minsk agreement, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told a press conference here on Saturday.

"We share an opinion that the crisis in Ukraine can't be resolved in an military manner," Lavrov said.

He said the normalisation of bilateral relations between Russia and the European Union would enable both sides cooperate in international political affairs, including the Middle East issues.

According to Lavrov, it is not enough to discuss only the ceasefire in southeast Ukraine, as the agreement signed in Minsk in February is far broader. With respect to the agreement itself, Lavrov said the key is to observe individual phases stipulated in the agreement.

Lavrov also observed that there were ongoing talks on what else can be done in addition to the measures stipulated by the Minsk agreements.

"There's a possibility to pull back weapons under 100 mm calibre from the front line," stressed Lavrov, adding that this could help boost mutual trust.

Lavrov visited Slovakia on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the liberation of the capital city Bratislava at the end of WWII.

During his visit, he met Slovak President Andrej Kiska, Prime Minister Robert Fico, Parliamentary Chairman Peter Pellegrini and Foreign and European Affairs Minister Miroslav Lajcak. Accompanied by Fico and Pellegrini, Lavrov laid a wreath in Bratislava's Slavin monument and military cemetery.