(VOVworld) – The West is undermining the peace process in Ukraine by leaving out self-proclaimed republics in Donetsk and Lugansk of negotiation rounds but including Russia, said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at the State Duma on Wednesday.

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov talks with his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier during their meeting in Moscow, November 18, 2014. (Photo: Reuters)

He noted the agreements reached in Minsk in September have not been fulfilled and called on Western countries to support direct talks between the Kiev government and the opposition force. Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia is willing to co-operate with the US on the basis of mutual respect, equality, and non-interference in each other's internal affairs.
On Wednesday Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseny Yatseniuk rejected holding direct talks with the opposition force.