俄外长敦促乌克兰立即无条件停火

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says talks Monday in Belarus should focus on an immediate, unconditional cease-fire in Ukraine.

The meeting in Minsk involves representatives from Russia, Ukraine and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.  It was not clear if pro-Russian separatists would also take part.

Lavrov also said there will be no Russian military intervention in neighboring Ukraine.

NATO estimates there are at least 1,000 Russian troops present inside Ukraine, and European Union leaders have demanded that Russia immediately withdraw its forces from the country.  Russia has repeatedly denied it has any troops in Ukraine.

The talks in Minsk come a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin called for substantive talks on statehood for southeastern Ukraine.  He said on state television that such a move is needed "to protect the lawful interests of people" who live in the region.

俄罗斯、乌克兰和欧洲安全与合作组织的代表将出席在明斯克举行的会议。目前还不清楚亲俄分离分子是否与会。

拉夫罗夫还表示，俄罗斯不会对邻国乌克兰进行军事干预。

北约估计乌克兰境内至少有1000名俄罗斯军人，欧盟领导人要求俄罗斯立即将其军队 撤出乌克兰。俄罗斯屡次否认俄军进入乌克兰境内。

在举行明斯克会谈的一天前，俄罗斯总统普京要求就乌克兰东南部的地位问题举行实质性谈判。普京发表全国电视讲话说，这一举措对于保护该地区人民的利益是必要的。