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Lavrov: whether Ukraine is choosing between Russia or entire world is counterproductive

The Russian foreign minister said Brussels came to realise it necessary to organise trilateral contacts involving Russia, Ukraine and the European Union

MUNICH, February 01, 16:19 /ITAR-TASS/. Ukraine is not choosing from relations with Russia or with the entire world, position of the kind is counterproductive, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Saturday.

“Now is the time for fewer slogans and for more care about the efforts, which the Ukrainian authorities have been undertaking to turn the situation into a peaceful mood. And as /the US Secretary of State/ John Kerry says Ukraine should make a choice either it is with the entire world or with one country, I could not expect this idea from Kerry - knowing his experience and reasonability,” Lavrov said at the beginning of his meeting with the Ukrainian counterpart Leonid Kozhara on the margins of the Munich Security Conference.

Lavrov spoke about the importance of having relations in the framework of the entire Euro-Atlantic region. Russia is a partner both for Ukraine and for the European Union.

“We do not want whatever background manoeuvres, which are playing the old game - either you are with us or against us. This is thinking of the past, which should remain there,” Lavrov said.

The Russian foreign minister said Brussels came to realise it necessary to organise trilateral contacts involving Russia, Ukraine and the European Union.