Moscow, April 29
Blaming Ukraine for destabilisation in the Black Sea region, Russian Presidential aide and Maritime Board Chairman, Nikolay Patrushev, on Tuesday said that both Moscow and Washington are interested in ensuring the security of maritime traffic and the next step should be made by Kyiv.
"Clearly, the activities of Ukraine's armed forces and mercenaries are the main destabilising factor in the Black Sea region," Patrushev said in an interview with the Russian state-run news agency Tass.
He further added that the Kyiv regime repeatedly showed that it is impossible to negotiate with.
"At the same time, as we have already learned from practice, Kyiv has repeatedly demonstrated its total inability to negotiate with," said the Kremlin aide.
Last month, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, in an interview with a local broadcaster, said that the Russian side favours the resumption of the Black Sea Initiative, though in a format more acceptable to all, adding that this issue was discussed at talks in Riyadh as a priority.
"We support the return of the Black Sea Initiative in some form, better suited to all," he said.