Russia is ready to develop pragmatic cooperation with Ukraine, the decision is to be made by Kiev, Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia Andrei Rudenko said in an interview with RIA Novosti.
“Russia is closely watching the events taking place in Ukraine. The signals from there are contradictory. On the one hand, the mutual release of Russian and Ukrainian citizens held in both countries on September 7 this year created a positive background for the consolidation of all sensible forces in Ukraine around the idea of normalizing good neighborly relations with Russia”, – Rudenko said.
According to him, on the other hand, Moscow still sees that the rights and freedoms of the Russian-speaking population are being infringed, anti-Russian rhetoric is heard, calls are heard for the continuation of the “war with Russia to the end”.
“In general, our common interests are not the continuation of confrontation, but the development of pragmatic cooperation on an equal footing. We are ready for this. The Ukrainian side is up to it”, – Rudenko emphasized.