Lavrov: Russia wants 'respectful' ties with US
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In light of the two countries' tensions over Ukraine, the Russian FM affirms that Moscow seeks a relationship based on "mutual respect" with Washington.
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Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov
Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov affirmed on Sunday that his country wants "mutually respectful" relations with the US amid rising tensions over Ukraine.
Lavrov told Russian TV on Sunday that "we want good, equal, mutually respectful relations with the United States, like with every country in the world."
He added that Russia doesn't want to remain in a position "where our security is infringed daily."
Russia's Foreign Minister said that NATO's line of defense "continues moving eastward" and has come "very close" to Ukraine, which according to him, is "not ready" to join NATO.
The top Russian diplomat said NATO wants to pull Ukraine into the alliance, amid fears that Russia is preparing to invade Ukraine as claimed by NATO.
However, the Foreign Minister challenged NATO’s claim to be a purely defensive structure.
Earlier, Lavrov said that negotiations with the West on security guarantees are not over yet and Russia will not allow anyone to ignore its interests, maintaining that the West will not be able to evade the implementation of Moscow's conditions regarding the principle of indivisible security.
He added in a press conference on Friday that the constructive points in the Western response to the security guarantees initiative depend on previous Russian proposals. He warned that Russia will take retaliatory measures in case no agreement is reached with the West on the principles of ensuring security in Europe.
