Kiev did not understand whether Zurabov’s return was a recognition of Poroshenko
Moscow - Kyiv, June 6 (Navigator, Mikhail Stamm) - The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry does not yet understand whether the return of Russian Ambassador Mikhail Zurabov means recognition of the presidential elections by Russia. But the ambassador was invited to the inauguration of President Petro Poroshenko.
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The head of the press service of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, Yevgeny Perebeinis, told Kommersant yesterday that the invitation to participate in the inauguration was sent to the head of the Russian Embassy in Kyiv several days ago, when the diplomatic mission was headed by Chargé d'Affaires Andrey Vorobyov.
“But since Mr. Zurabov is returning to Kyiv - and we have already received a corresponding note from Moscow - then, naturally, he can take part in the inauguration,” explained Evgeniy Perebeinis.
When asked whether Kiev perceives the return of the Russian ambassador as a positive signal, the Ukrainian diplomat found it difficult to answer. “The rest of the countries announced the recognition of the presidential elections in a slightly different way - by sending official congratulations or personal calls to the elected president,” he recalled. “This is rather a question for the Russian side: what does this step mean?” Is this recognition of the election and congratulations to the president-elect? So far we have not heard any specifics from the Russian side.”
Meanwhile, according to Perebeinis, “the issue of the return of Ukrainian Ambassador Vladimir Yelchenko to Moscow is not being considered yet.”
Kyiv is unclear whether Zurabov's return is a confession by Poroshenko.