Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said the crisis in Ukraine was "created artificially for purely geopolitical reasons".
He confirmed Russia had contacts with Ukraine's interim government but said Kiev was beholden to the radical right.
Russia, he said, was open to further dialogue with the West if it was "honest and partner-like".
Meanwhile, Russia's deputy foreign minister has held talks with Ukraine's ambassador in Moscow.
The foreign ministry gave no details but said the talks on Saturday between deputy minister Grigory Karasin and ambassador Volodymyr Yelchenko were held in an "open atmosphere".
Earlier, Ukraine's interim Foreign Minister Andriy Deshchytsya said he saw hopeful signs Russia might engage in talks.
