Relations between Moscow and Washington have been heavily affected by the fallout of the east Ukraine crisis, while some aspects of bilateral partnership have come to a standstill, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
“Our relations are complicated, they are not just ‘frozen,’ some of the spheres are on a standstill that had been there long before the Ukrainian crisis broke out,” he confessed.
“Our relations are complicated both by the current divide on some issues, which we are debating and trying to resolve, but also by the existing atmosphere, obviously,” the minister said in an interview with Russia’s NTV channel.
Lavrov added that his Tuesday meeting with US Secretary of State John Kerry in Paris indicated Washington’s determination to look for common ground and work out some major differences.
Lavrov added that his Tuesday meeting with US Secretary of State John Kerry in Paris indicated Washington’s determination to look for common ground and work out some major differences.
At the same time, the Russian minister stressed the United States is still reluctant to consider the interests of all the parties involved.
“The majority of proposals that our American partners have tabled so far are designed to serve their own interests, while our initiatives, as a rule, seek to accommodate their approach and strike a balance of interests,” Lavrov underscored.
According to Lavrov, Russia and the United States are working together on the crises in North Africa and the Middle East, as well as on the Iranian nuclear deal, Korea’s denuclearization, and the entire UN Security Council agenda.
“The majority of proposals that our American partners have tabled so far are designed to serve their own interests, while our initiatives, as a rule, seek to accommodate their approach and strike a balance of interests,” Lavrov underscored.
According to Lavrov, Russia and the United States are working together on the crises in North Africa and the Middle East, as well as on the Iranian nuclear deal, Korea’s denuclearization, and the entire UN Security Council agenda.
He admitted that the east Ukrainian conflict has been a recurring theme at all discussions. “In fact, the foreign policy agenda alone is filled with so many controversies that we are constantly in search of compromises,” Lavrov added.
Relations between Russia and the United States have been strained since Washington accused Russia of meddling with the Ukrainian conflict, a claim Russia has repeatedly denied.
Relations between Russia and the United States have been strained since Washington accused Russia of meddling with the Ukrainian conflict, a claim Russia has repeatedly denied.
