Kerry says Russia can rebuild trust by ‘withdrawing’ from Ukraine

PanARMENIAN.Net - U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Thursday, Dec 4, Russia “had pitched itself into isolation through its own actions in Ukraine and could rebuild international credibility only by ending its support for pro-Russian separatists,” according to Reuters.

Speaking at a meeting of foreign ministers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation (OSCE), Kerry said Moscow had failed to live up to its commitments under September Minsk ceasefire accords to end the conflict in Ukraine.

"The United States and countries that support Ukraine's sovereignty and rights do not seek confrontation," Kerry said.

"It is not our design or desire that we see a Russia that is isolated through its own actions," he said, "In fact we are convinced that Moscow could rebuild trust and relationships if it simply helps to calm turbulent waters, if it takes steps now to implement the Minsk Protocol," he added.

He said Moscow “should not only meet its commitments under the Minsk ceasefire accords but also withdraw Russian troops and weapons from eastern Ukraine and use its influence on pro-Russian separatists to release all hostages.”

“Support for the separatists had hurt Russia. The result is damage to its credibility and its own citizens wind up paying a steep economic and human price,” he said.