The situation in Ukraine
dominated discussions at the Council of Europe meeting, although
diplomatic efforts have done little so far to ease tensions.
Lavrov told a news
conference it was up to Ukrainians to decide their country's future and
called on the interim authorities in Kiev to listen to opposition
activists in Ukraine's south and east who want greater autonomy.
His words came as
violence escalated, with Ukraine's military seeking to regain control of
swaths of the country that pro-Russian militia groups have seized.
Kiev and many in the West
believe the separatists are backed by Russia and fear Russian President
Vladimir Putin is fomenting trouble to increase his influence in the
region.
Earlier in remarks to
reporters in Vienna, UK Foreign Secretary William Hague accused Russia
of seeking to undermine Ukraine's presidential elections, due to take
place May 25.
"Russia seems to be
intent on a course of preventing and disrupting those elections," he
said. "That is wrong, and I think there will be a very strong message
from the great majority of countries here today that the Ukrainian
elections must be allowed to go ahead."
Hague said the doors to a diplomatic solution remain open.
But he said any chance of
breathing new life into last month's international pact on Ukraine
agreed to in Geneva, Switzerland, would depend on all parties
implementing it -- including Russia.
Since Russia and Ukraine
are among the 47 member states of the Council of Europe, both Lavrov
and his Ukrainian counterpart, acting Foreign Minister Andriy
Deshchytsia, are taking part in the Vienna talks.
Hollande warns of chaos, civil war
Speaking on French TV
station BFMTV earlier Tuesday, French President Francois Hollande echoed
Hague's concern that Ukraine's election should go ahead as planned.
"The main goal we have
is that the presidential election should be held in Ukraine on May 25,"
he said. "Otherwise, there will be chaos and civil war. Vladimir Putin
wishes today that this election does not take place."
U.N. High Commissioner
for Human Rights Navi Pillay voiced concern about the escalating
violence Tuesday and urged all sides "to make a much greater effort to
find a peaceful resolution" to the crisis.
"Armed opposition groups
must stop all illegal actions, including detaining people and seizing
public buildings in violation of Ukraine's laws and Constitution," she
said.
At the same time, the
Ukrainian authorities must "demonstrate full respect for the rule of law
and scrupulously protect the human rights of all, including the
Russian-speaking population," she said.
Pillay also called for
an end to the harassment of journalists, saying their work was "a key
element in ending the increasing misinformation, disinformation and hate
speech" that has helped to create dangerous divisions within
communities.
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