The US ambassador says Russia leaders are unlikely to support the radical statements by some Russian politicians, arguing that Luzhkov calls were not supported by Russia’s foreign ministry.

“We do not believe that any responsible government in Russia will question Ukraine’s territorial integrity,” Taylor commented.

Following a ban for the Moscow mayor to enter Ukraine, Russia FM said in a statement that “Ukrainians had unjustifiably incriminated to Luzhkov infringement on Ukraine’s territorial integrity.”

“Luzhkov has never made unfriendly declarations regarding Ukraine. By his practical work, he is promoting good relations between our peoples,” the Russian statement runs.

“Luzhkov merely voiced the point of view of the majority of Russians who took to heart the collapse of the USSR, something that cannot be viewed as an infringement on the sovereignty of Ukraine,” Russia FM said.