The purpose of the deployment of Russian Black Sea fleet vessels near the coast of Abkhazia is to facilitate the protection of Russian citizens in the region, support the Russian peacekeeping contingent, and provide humanitarian aid to civilians in the conflict zone, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in a telephone call with Ukrainian Parliament Speaker Arseny Yatsenyuk, as reported by the Foreign Ministry`s information and press department, according to RBC. During the conversation, held on Ukraine`s initiative, an open exchange of opinions on the situation in South Ossetia took place. The Russian Minister stressed the need for the immediate withdrawal of Georgian forces from the conflict zone and the signing of an agreement on the non-use of force between Tbilisi and Tskhinvali.
In light of the current situation, the problem of risks created by arms supplies to Georgia was also discussed.
The counterparts agreed that any questions arising in this connection should be discussed by the Russian-Ukrainian subcommittee on the Black Sea fleet on the basis of bilateral agreements in force.
