Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Monday confirmed Moscow's support to Arab countries' efforts to confront terror groups.
In a speech delivered to the opening of the 28th Human Rights Council session in Geneva, Lavrov said that Moscow insists that cutting off all channels of support to radical Islamist groups such as Daesh or Al Nusra Front is key to successful fight against global extremism and terrorism, Sputnik News Agency reported.
"Our common goal should be joining efforts in the fight against extremism and terrorism in the Middle East and North Africa," Lavrov added.
He also welcomed "tangible progress" in the implementation of the ceasefire agreement reached in Minsk last month, saying "the ceasefire is being consolidated, heavy weapons are withdrawn."
The Russian FM said the problem in Ukraine is "of effective concern", since "there's been an increase within the activities of ultra-radical groups."
He called on Ukraine to distance itself from what he called "extremists" in the east and pursue a course toward peace.
"We ask the Ukrainian leadership to ... pursue a training course towards peace and reconciliation within the multi-ethnic Ukrainian society on the mutually acceptable basis," he stated.