Speaking during the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Summit in Stockholm, Lavrov warned that NATO’s expansion to the east would affect the “fundamental interests” of Russia’s security.
He stressed that although Russia “does not want any conflict” with NATO over Ukraine, it retains “the right to choose how to ensure its legitimate security interests.”
“And of course, let us not forget the principle of indissolubility and security, including in the OSCE, in the NATO Council of Russia, which says that no one has the right to strengthen his security at the expense of security of others. And NATO’s move further east will certainly affect our fundamental security interests.”
Meanwhile, the United States warned again that there would be “serious consequences” if Russia engaged in “the pursuit of confrontation” with Ukraine.
Blinken told summit attendees that the United States remains “deeply concerned about Russia’s plans for renewed aggression against Ukraine.”
This aggression will “take us in the opposite direction,” Blinken said, noting that “it simply doesn’t benefit anyone.”
He added that “the best way to avert the crisis is through diplomacy”, calling on Russia to abide by the Minsk peace agreements signed in 2015 between Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany.
The interpretation of this and other core OSCE documents emerged as a sticking point between the two countries, with Mr. Lavrov saying it was “clear” that the US and Russia interpreted them in “different ways.”
Blinken criticized Russia’s compliance with the Helsinki Final Act, a multilateral agreement dating back to 1975, saying the country “continues to violate Helsinki’s principles and repeatedly impedes its work. “
Despite the accusations, the two officials recognized the importance of dialogue, with Lavrov acknowledging “the importance of our two nations for global stability and security, including in the region.” Euro-Atlantic region.”
Blinken also held a bilateral meeting on Thursday with Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dymtro Kuleba, at which the top US diplomat reiterated Washington’s “unwavering commitment to territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence”. of Ukraine.”
The OSCE summit comes after a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Latvia, which was dominated by concerns about recent events in Belarus and Russia’s intentions in Ukraine.
The United States and NATO say Russia is increasing its combat troops near the border with Ukraine.
The Kremlin has repeatedly denied reports that Russia plans to invade Ukraine and considers NATO support for the country a threat on Russia’s western border.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday called for specific agreements that rule out any NATO expansion to the east and the deployment of its weapons near Russia’s borders.
On Tuesday, Putin said NATO’s military expansion near Russia’s borders and the deployment of a missile system in Ukraine would cross a “red line” for Russia. In response to Western actions that Russia considers a threat, it is developing its own hypersonic missile weapon.
CNN’s Alex Marquardt reports from Stockholm, Niamh Kennedy from London and Anna Chernova from Moscow.
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