Russia demands explanation from Ukraine on closing border

Russian expects an explanation from Ukraine over its intention to close the border with Russia, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said.

Lavrov made the statement Monday after a meeting with his Belarusian counterpart Vladimir Makei in Minsk, saying the plan of Ukrainian authorities to close the Russian-Ukraine border is unclear and should be explained, Xinhua reported.

"If they refer to closing any channels for free movement of our citizens, including migrant workers, we would like to understand why exactly this is to be done," Lavrov said. "They talk about closing the borders unilaterally, so we have difficulty commenting here."

While warning that the international community should pay special attention to the task of curbing radicals and neo-Nazis in Ukraine, the Russian foreign minister stressed the need to respond to the situation in light of the recent events, including Saturday 's attack on the Russian embassy in Kiev, and the need for an immediate end to the security operations in southeast Ukraine and the need for a durable ceasefire.