Russian lawmakers warn Western politicians not to interfere in Ukraine's standoff

Foreign politicians should not interfere in the confrontation between the government and opposition in Ukraine, Russian lawmakers said Wednesday. "The State Duma urges Western political circles to stop meddling in the internal affairs of sovereign Ukraine in violation of international law and to stop contributing to further escalation of the conflict," the State Duma, or the lower house of the parliament, said in a newly-adopted resolution. The resolution, submitted by Duma chairman Sergei Naryshkin, was supported by 388 out of 450 MPs. Lawmakers slammed some foreign politicians for "interference" in Ukraine's political confrontation which has already claimed three lives in the capital of Kiev. Russian MPs pinned the responsibility for the deepening crisis on both "extremists wing of the opposition" and western politicians who have sided with the opposition. "The State Duma once again admonishes from mounting outside pressure on Ukraine, enforcing it a pro-EU geopolitical choice," the resolution published on the Duma website said. Meanwhile, the Duma called on the opposition in Ukraine to refrain from violence, halt the standoff with special police units and seek constructive dialogue with the authorities. The Russian parliament's upper house, the Federation Council, supported the Duma declaration, saying it is unimaginable that Ukrainian politicians would advise the U.S. leaders how they should conduct their policy. "There is no other way but talks and dialogue (between Ukrainian confronting parties) to settle the situation peacefully," the Interfax news agency quoted deputy head of the Federation Council's Constitutional Legislation Committee Konstantin Dobrynin as saying. On Tuesday, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the situation in Ukraine was spinning out of control.