Ukraine is being pumped with weapons and kept from any constructive steps for negotiations, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in an interview with Russian state media on Wednesday.

The potential of anti-Russia sanctions has been exhausted and the demands imposed by Brussels are beginning to hinder and irritate the EU countries, he said, warning that Russian energy resources would be reoriented if Europe refused them.

Lavrov also announced his tour to several African countries, including Egypt, Congo, Uganda and Ethiopia.