MOSCOW. May 26 (Interfax) - An impartial investigation into the "sniper case" and the tragedy in Odesa is needed for national reconciliation in Ukraine, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
"We have still not received a response [from international organizations on the need to investigate the tragedy in Odesa]. Such inquiries have been sent to the UN secretary general and the OSCE secretary general," he told a press conference in Moscow on Monday.
Lavrov reiterated that "it is possible to use the capabilities of organizations for the prohibition of chemical weapons, bearing in mind the facts that are emerging and need to be studied" in the investigation into these events, referring to the possible use of a toxic substance in the Odesa Union House.
"No doubt, we will seek the truth. It is vital to determine the truth for national reconciliation in any domestic conflict. The same is true of the so-called sniper case and the gruesome tragedy that occurred in Odesa," he said.
Lavrov said Russia is working on the assumption that all these events "should be investigated in an impartial way."
"How can this be organized? I don't have answer to this question now. The Ukrainian authorities are saying they will do everything themselves. As far as I can understand, they are refusing cooperation with international organizations. However, international organizations, the UN and the OSCE, should be persistent, bearing in mind the huge public response drawn by these crimes," he said.
Lavrov said these organizations should demand that the Ukrainian authorities ensure the transparency and independence of this investigation and involve professional experts, if need be.