俄罗斯准备继续与乌克兰的对话

 　　俄罗斯准备继续与乌克兰的对话

      MOSCOW, March 8 (Xinhua) -- Russia said Saturday it was willing to continue dialogue with the current Ukrainian authorities, while western countries were abuzz over forming alliance against Russia and threatening to resort to sanctions.

　　"We are ready to continue the dialogue on the understanding that the dialogue must be honest, partnership-like, without attempts to show us almost as a party to the conflict," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.

　　He also said Moscow would push for an investigation¹ into allegations that snipers cut down scores of protestors in Kiev's Independence Square and urged the international community to probe the case.

　　Stressing that Russia does not expect a new cold war, Lavrov said Friday that Moscow and the West could seek some common ground to solve the Ukraine crisis through dialogue.

　　Commenting on the situation in Crimea, the epicenter of the ongoing² crisis in Ukraine since Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych was ousted³ by parliament on Feb. 22, Lavrov said the scheduled referendum on March 16 reflected the common will of the Crimea people.

　　He also warned the United States not to impose any sanctions on Moscow, as Washington would inevitably⁴ be hit in return.

　　Uneased by Russia's stance on the Ukraine crisis, the United States was busy forming alliance against Russia and threatening to resort to sanctions.

　　In fact it has imposed visa bans and financial sanctions since Thursday on a number of Ukrainians and Russians it claims responsible for the crisis.

　　Washington said sanctions will be furthered if Russia does not withdraw its forces back to their bases in Crimea.

　　U.S. President Barack Obama also spared no efforts on forming alliance against Russia by making phone calls to leaders of other western countries and their alliances.

　　On Saturday Obama called six world leaders separately, including British Prime Minister David Cameron, French President Francois Hollande,Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, and the presidents of three Baltic countries of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.

　　Hollande and Obama stressed over phone the importance for Russia to start immediately dialogue with Ukraine, and warned of new measures against Russia if no progress was made in this direction, French president's office said in a statement.

　　The two leaders also reaffirmed their support for the new Ukrainian authorities, as well as for the preparation of Ukrainian presidential election, scheduled for May 25, the statement said.

　　Cameron and Obama discussed the situation in Ukraine, the outcome of the European Council and the U.S. measures, a Downing Street spokesperson said in a statement.

　　Both leaders agreed that there is still an opportunity for Russia to resolve the situation diplomatically, the spokesperson added.

　　"Both the prime minister and the president firmly believe that the proposed referendum in Crimea would be illegal and that any attempt to legitimize it would result in further consequences for Russia," the spokesperson said.

　　When talking with the leaders of Baltic countries, Obama told them that the United States supports them and is committed to its collective defense⁵ commitments under the North Atlantic Treaty, the White House said.

　　He also reaffirmed Washington's enduring support for the security and democracy of the Baltic countries.

　　The United States plans to expand military cooperation with Poland and Baltic states to show "support" for its allies amid crisis in Ukraine, U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said Wednesday.

　　U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry warned Russia that any steps to annex⁶ Ukraine's Crimea region would close the door to diplomacy⁷, a U.S. State Department official said.

1 investigation   

n.调查，调查研究

参考例句：

• In an investigation,a new fact became known, which told against him.在调查中新发现了一件对他不利的事实。
• He drew the conclusion by building on his own investigation.他根据自己的调查研究作出结论。

2 ongoing   

adj.进行中的，前进的

参考例句：

• The problem is ongoing.这个问题尚未解决。
• The issues raised in the report relate directly to Age Concern's ongoing work in this area.报告中提出的问题与“关心老人”组织在这方面正在做的工作有直接的关系。

3 ousted   

驱逐( oust的过去式和过去分词 )； 革职； 罢黜； 剥夺

参考例句：

• He was ousted as chairman. 他的主席职务被革除了。
• He may be ousted by a military takeover. 他可能在一场军事接管中被赶下台。

4 inevitably   

adv.不可避免地；必然发生地

参考例句：

• In the way you go on,you are inevitably coming apart.照你们这样下去，毫无疑问是会散伙的。
• Technological changes will inevitably lead to unemployment.技术变革必然会导致失业。

5 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

6 annex   

vt.兼并，吞并；n.附属建筑物

参考例句：

• It plans to annex an England company in order to enlarge the market.它计划兼并一家英国公司以扩大市场。
• The annex has been built on to the main building.主楼配建有附属的建筑物。

7 diplomacy   

n.外交；外交手腕，交际手腕

参考例句：

• The talks have now gone into a stage of quiet diplomacy.会谈现在已经进入了“温和外交”阶段。
• This was done through the skill in diplomacy. 这是通过外交手腕才做到的。