France Should Influence Ukraine to Ensure Security of Russian Diplomatic Mission

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov asked his French counterpart, Jean-Marc Ayrault, to use his influence on Kiev to end continued attacks on Russian diplomatic missions in Ukraine, in a phone call on Saturday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The Russian Embassy in Kiev said earlier on Saturday that about 20 people had attacked its building with smoke pellets and fireworks.

"Our side drew J.-M. Ayrault’s attention to continued acts of vandalism against Russia’s foreign establishments in Ukraine," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a press release.

"S.V. Lavrov asked the French side to exert pressure on Kiev to make it take all necessary measures to guarantee security of Russian diplomatic and consular missions, specifically ahead of the September 18 elections to [Russia’s] State Duma," the statement read.