Question: Sergey Viktorovich, our colleague, VGTRK correspondent Igor Kornelyuk, died in Ukraine. How would you comment on the situation with the journalistic work in this country? What steps can be undertaken?

Sergey Lavrov: I extend my deepest condolences to colleagues and family of the dead VGTRK journalist Igor Kornelyuk, as well as all those who aspire to bring truth about the events in Ukraine.

I would like to say that we do not accept actions by the Ukrainian authorities against journalists, constantly subjecting them to an absolutely uncivilised treatment, detaining them, creating obstacles for them and inventing some fabricated spy charges.

In general, it is clear that journalists are subject to risk and threats in trouble spots. It has always been like this everywhere. However, the threats, which exist in Ukraine now and which led to the tragic death of the Russian TV correspondent, are absolutely artificial. They are being created as a result of the continuing military operation against Ukrainian people, against those, who want their rights to be protected and who want to be heard in the South-East. This is being done despite multiple promises of a cease fire and to come to the negotiation table.

In this regard, we will seek support for the OSCE "roadmap", which was created by the Swiss presidency of the OSCE and is based on the Geneva Statement (of the 17 April) which was coordinated by Russia, the United States, and the European Union and also with the participation of Ukraine. Now Russia wants to adopt another resolution in the UN Security Council.

I believe that this is another serious "alarm bell" to all those who expect a military victory in the South-East, cleansing of this territory. This case will be a strong signal to the western partners of Kiev to stop their reckless support of Kiev's violent actions and force the Kiev authorities to do what the President Petro Poroshenko promised – to start a true nation-wide dialogue with participation of all the regions of this country. Instead of the cease fire promised by Petro Poroshenko, we hear some announcement from Kiev's forces that some kind of a temporary cease fire will be announced, so that the separatists, as they call them, can leave the territory of Ukraine. This is not a national dialogue, nor are they negotiations with participation of all the regions. In fact, it is ethnic cleansing. I very much hope we can plan for such scenarios.