The Foreign Ministry of Russia is condemning Kyiv’s policy directed at rehabilitation of hetman Ivan Mazepa, considering it as an attempt to involve Ukrainians into ”farfetched confrontation with Russia”, Ukrainskaya Pravda reports with reference to Interfax-Ukraine.

The Information and Press Department at the Foreign Ministry of Russia paid attention to the fact “currently a monument to Mazepa is being constructed devoted to the 300th anniversary of Poltava Battle; President enacted a decree on a new award – Mazepa Cross”.

“On these conditions we hope Ukrainians will not let involve themselves into farfetched confrontation with Russia”, the Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry claimed. “We would like to remind Ukraine’s authorities playing with history, especially with nationalistic state, had never leaded to any good. When Ukraine’s authorities are trying to change a joint Russian-Ukrainian history, they split society of Ukraine”, is reported.

The Department paid attention to other actions of Kyiv directed at the oppression of Russian language in Ukraine leading to the tension in relations between Russia and Ukraine”. Particularly, according to the Department, President of Ukraine Viktor Yushchenko demanded to take measures on mandatory compliance with requirements of legislation by officials while discharging their duties. “Also Ukraine is trying to pay more attention to the topic of Holodomor and political repressions”, is reported.