Duma Condemns West's 'Destructive' Role In Ukraine

The Duma (in file photo) lashed out today at what it views as Western interlopers 3 December 2004 -- Russia's parliament overwhelmingly approved a resolution today condemning what it called the "destructive" role of outside forces in Ukraine's political crisis.

The State Duma said the European Union, the European Parliament, and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) are fomenting unrest that could lead to what it called "massive disorder, chaos, and a split of the country."

It said such events would have "the most negative consequences not only for Ukraine but for Russia, all of Europe, and the international community as a whole."

The Duma resolution came one day after President Vladimir Putin held "consultative" talks with Ukraine's outgoing President Leonid Kuchma on Ukraine's political crisis.

(ITAR-TASS/AFP)