Luzhkov’s statements cast doubt upon friendly relations of Ukraine and Russia – Bohatyryova

The statements of Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov, who said that the port of Sevastopol did not belong to Ukraine, cast doubt upon the traditional friendly relations between Ukraine and Russia, National Security and Defense Council Secretary Raisa Bohatyryova claims.

According to the NSDC, she is convinced that the position, voiced by Yu.Luzhkov, has no explanation from the point of view of strategic partnership and development of friendly relations.

“In fact, he cast doubt not only on the traditional friendly relations between Ukraine and Russia, but also on the basis of relations between our countries – the Agreement on Friendship and Cooperation. Such statements may be attributed to emotions, but they cannot be justified from the point of view of national interests of Ukraine, as well as of Russia”, R.Bohatyryova stressed.

“It distorts the mutual values of our nations, artificially forms the image of enemy, diverts from looking for answers to common challenges. As of today, the constant use of advocates from the past poses a real threat to our nations. We should more responsibly plan and create more predictable and peaceful future”, the NSDC Secretary believes.

R.Bohatyryova expressed a belief that the thoughtless statements of the Moscow Mayor do not reflect the official stance of the Russian Federation leadership.

As UNIAN reported earlier, on May 12, the Ukrainian Security Service forbade Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov to enter the territory of Ukraine.

According to SBU spokes person Maryna Ostapenko, Russian citizen Yu.Luzhkov neglected the SBU notice about inadmissibility of actions, hampering national interests of Ukraine and its territorial integrity. Henceforth, he is barred from entering the Ukrainian territory.

According to M.Ostapenko, at present the SBU are investigating into the provocative statements made by Yuri Luzhkov in Sevastopol on May 11. The Ukrainian Security Service also probes into his eventual connection with laundering illegally acquired money at the territory of Sevastopol.

SBU also issued a warning to Russian lawmaker Kostantin Zatulin about inadmissibility of spiteful public statements, which are contrary to the national legislation of Ukraine.

At the same time, SBU thanks political forces and public organizations that spoke in defense of the national sovereignty of Ukraine.

As UNIAN reported earlier, on May 10, Moscow Mayor Yu.Luzhkov, well-known for his statements that Crimea and Sevastopol belong to Russia, was handed a written notice about inadmissibility of illegal actions at the Ukrainian territory.

However, on May 11, speaking at a concert on occasion of the 225th anniversary of the RF Black Sea Fleet, Yu.Luzhkov claimed that the issue of Sevastopol “is still unresolved”. Yuri Luzhkov said: “In 1954 the city of Sevastopol was not included into the Oblasts, the territories, which were transferred to Ukraine by Nikita Khrushchov.

We state that this issue remained unresolved, and we will solve it. We will solve it in the interests of the truth, in the interests of the state positions and the state right that Russia has on its naval base – Sevastopol”.