Moscow - Saba:
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko stated on Monday that Russia does not consider itself an enemy of the West and is only prepared for dialogue if its opponents abandon their policy of confrontation toward Moscow.
In an interview with Sputnik, Grushko said, "For our part, we are guided by the principles of our foreign policy. We do not consider ourselves enemies of the West and are ready for dialogue."
He added, "But only if our adversaries abandon their policy of confrontation with Russia, cease their eastward expansion, and are ready for practical interaction based on the principles of sovereign equality and respect for each other's interests."
Commenting on NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte's statement that he does not rule out normalizing relations with Russia in the long term, Grushko noted that Rutte is speaking of a "very long-term perspective," which is not yet on the horizon.
The European region is experiencing tensions unprecedented since the end of the Cold War, amid strained relations between the West and Russia over the Ukrainian crisis. In recent years, Russia has observed unprecedented NATO activity near its western borders, as the alliance expands the scope of its "initiatives," describing them as "containing Russian aggression."
Moscow has expressed concern on several occasions about the alliance's buildup of forces in Europe. The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that Moscow remains open to dialogue with NATO, but on an equal footing, while the West must abandon its path toward militarization on the continent.
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