MOSCOW. Dec 16 (Interfax) - The opportunities of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) will under no circumstances be used in Ukraine, CSTO Secretary General Nikolai Bordyuzha said in an interview with the Rossiya 24 (Russia 24) TV channel on Monday.
"We are watching what is happening in Ukraine. We are not indifferent to what will happen there following the completion of the resistance observed today. Ukraine is our friend and brotherly country. We are neighbors with the same mentality. But using CSTO opportunities in Ukraine is out of the question," Bordyuzha said.
"Under no circumstance the CSTO will be involved in resolving the crisis in Ukraine," he said.
"There are several reasons," Bordyuzha said. "First of all, Ukraine is not a CSTO member. And we can not use our opportunities in their country. Secondly, the organization does not have the right to interfere in political processes happening in countries which are CSTO members. Thirdly, the organization does not have the function of resisting large-scale rallies happening in our states," Bordyuzha said.
"This is why we in no way will use our opportunities amid what is happening in Ukraine. This is the domain of the Ukrainian authorities and the political elite of Ukraine and I think that they will cope with this conflict successfully," Bordyuzha said.
"The CSTO is oriented firstly on resisting threats from the outside and we comply with this rule sacredly," he said.