"Ukrainian coupists themselves violated Budapest Protocol provisions," – Russia’s Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused "Ukrainian coupists" of violating the Budapest Memorandum.

Censor.NET reports citing UNIAN.

Asked what entry of the Minsk Agreements and the Budapest Memorandum exactly says that Russia must protect the Russian speakers in the Donbas and Crimea, Lavrov said: "The only thing that is not mentioned in the Budapest Protocol is Russia's or anyone else's commitment to agree with the results of the anti-constitutional armed coup.

"[Not obliged to agree with] the outcomes of the coup, which masterminds' first step was to proclaim the fight against the Russian language and Russians in Crimea. I quoted Dmytro Yarosh, who said that the Russians were to be expelled from Crimea or destroyed. No one undertook commitments to accept such political changes in Ukraine under such a leadership."

It should be noted that Yarosh led the Right Sector public national liberation movement at the time of Crimea occupation and had nothing to do with the government.

"Being unable to ensure formation of a national unity government under the guarantees of France, Poland and Germany, Ukrainian coupists themselves grossly violated the provisions of the Budapest Protocol in terms of commitments to faithfully respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Ukrainian state by daring to undermine the agreements of Feb. 20, 2014," Lavrov said.