A senior Ukrainian diplomat says the West should not ease pressure on Russia over its role in Ukraine's conflict -- even if antiterrorism cooperation begins.
Dmytro Kuleba, ambassador at large in Ukraine's Foreign Ministry, told Reuters on November 19 that "rapprochement between the West and Russia to fight terrorism is possible, but not at the expense of Ukraine."
Kuleba said that "compromises with Russia on Ukraine" will mean "the acceptance of the illegal use of force in Europe" and "have devastating consequences for pan-European security and international law."
Western countries imposed sanctions on Russia in 2014 over its annexation of Crimea and support for pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine.
But there have been signs of a diplomatic thaw since terrorist attacks in Paris on November 13.
Next week, French President Francois Hollande plans the first bilateral visit to Moscow by a European Union leader in six months.
