The Government of Iran on Tuesday blamed the United States and NATO for the crisis in Ukraine and called for dialogue to reduce tension, after Russia recognized two Ukrainian separatist provinces.
“Unfortunately, the provocative actions of NATO, supported by the United States, have complicated the situation in the region,” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Said Khatibzade said in a statement.
The spokesman indicated that Iran is closely following the events in Ukraine and called for dialogue to reduce tension.
“We urge all parties to dialogue to find a peaceful solution to the conflict,” Khatibzade said.
Tehran last week offered to host talks between Ukraine and Russia, while warning its citizens on Ukrainian soil to be prepared for a possible emergency situation.
Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday gave a new twist to the Ukraine crisis by recognizing the independence of the self-proclaimed pro-Russian separatist republics of Donetsk and Lugansk in eastern Ukraine.
The action generated the rejection and condemnation of the main international actors involved in this crisis in support of Kiev: the United States, NATO and the European Union.