Russia and the EU both want Ukraine to be a stable democratic state, Russian Ambassador to the EU Vladimir Chizhov said at the European Russian Forum at the European Parliament in Brussels.

"Both Russia and the EU want Ukraine to be a stable democratic state which would ensure the rights and security of representatives of all nationalities, not only Ukrainians and Russians," he added.

However, in his words, ‘Brussels preferred to force the Ukrainians to make a false choice between a ‘bright European future’ and the ‘dark past with Russia’ rather than help Ukraine become a prospering state serving as a link between Russia and the European Union."

"It was this short-sighted step that created a deep rift in Ukrainian society which opened the door for nationalist and neo-Nazi elements who look down on the ideals of freedom, democracy and justice," the Russian diplomat noted. "The European Union’s incapability or unwillingness to predict and prevent this course of events has led to the numerous problems that Russia and the EU have been facing in solving bilateral and international issues."