The Russian foreign minister has strongly criticised the West for backing Ukraine's protesters, accusing European and American leaders of inciting "increasingly violent" protests.
Sergei Lavrov said that Western support was causing an escalation in the demonstrations, which first started two months ago when President Victor Yanukovych failed to sign an agreement to deepen ties with the European Union – preferring to forge stronger links with Russia.
"Why is no one condemning those who seize administration buildings, attack policemen and chant racist and anti-Semitic slogans?" said Mr Lavrov.
"Why are prominent European politicians actually encouraging the moves in question, although in their own countries they immediately clamp down on those any encroachments on the letter of the law?"
Speaking at the three-day Munich Security Conference, which began on Friday, Mr Lavrov likened the West's support for protesters in the Ukrainian capital of Kiev to Russia supporting demonstrations in a European capital. » | Harriet Alexander | Saturday, February 01, 2014
