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Kremlin says Russia-ASEAN summit does not mean Moscow turning to East

Kremlin spokesman says it is wrong to talk about a strategic turn to the East, as a rather unique country in terms of geopolitical location, as a Eurasian power, Russia cannot turn to only one side

SOCHI, May 19. /TASS/. The Russia-ASEAN summit in Sochi does not symbolize Russia’s turn from the West to the East, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Thursday.

"In my opinion, it is wrong to talk about a strategic turn to the East," Peskov said. "As a rather unique country in terms of geopolitical location, as a Eurasian power, Russia cannot turn to only one side," he added.

According to Peskov, Moscow is interested in maintaining good relations with countries to the west of our borders, as well as those to the south and to the east. "Russia never initiated marginalizing our relations with some countries. We regret when we see voluntary restrictions that countries impose on themselves in what concerns cooperation with Russia," the Kremlin spokesman said.

Peskov expressed hope that "the time of mutual restrictions will end sooner or later" adding that the Asia-Pacific is among top Russia’s priorities as there is a great potential for cooperation in this region.