Lavrov: We are awaiting Washington's response to our proposals regarding security guarantees

Moscow-Sana

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reiterated that his country is still waiting for the United States to respond to its proposals regarding security guarantees.

Lavrov said during a press conference with his German counterpart Annalina Birbock after their talks in Moscow today that Washington is trying to justify its expansion and the progress of NATO to the Russian borders, stressing that Russia cannot allow the alliance to send its forces to Ukraine because it is a matter related to the security of Russian citizens.

Lavrov pointed out that relations between Russia and the European Union are still largely hostage to the anti-Russian line in Brussels and some EU member states, indicating that Russia did not justify creating any new tensions around Ukraine.

Lavrov expressed his country's hope that Berlin would influence Kiev in terms of implementing its obligations related to the Minsk agreements, reiterating his country's rejection of any demands regarding the necessary measures taken by the Russian army on the territory of his country, as this is the right of any country.

Regarding relations between the two countries, Lavrov said that Russia is looking forward to more constructive relations with Germany on an equal footing and taking into account special interests, and that these relations should be directed to resolving the accumulated problematic issues.

For her part, Birbock indicated that there is no alternative to good, stable relations between Moscow and Berlin, pointing out that her country sees possibilities to enhance this cooperation, because Berlin needs Russia because it provides Europe with the gas it needs.

And the German minister announced the start of discussing a joint plan for the Russia-NATO dialogue, noting the need for common bases that everyone can rely on to ensure security in Europe.

Birbock stressed the need to make efforts to return to the negotiations within the "Normandy" framework on the settlement of the Ukrainian crisis.

The Speaker of the Russian State Duma, Vyacheslav Volodin, said earlier that "NATO seeks to occupy Ukraine," noting that in recent months there has been hysteria around Ukraine, as members of Congress and representatives of the US State Department have sowed terror in the entire world through allegations of a possible "Russian invasion" .

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