MOSCOW, December 17. /TASS/. The Russian and US intelligence services are currently maintaining a professional dialogue, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told the Komsomolskaya Pravda radio station on Monday.

According to Russia’s top diplomat, Moscow has never rejected professional dialogue with Washington in those areas, in which Russian "partners are ready to discuss the existing common threats and problems honestly and on an equitable basis."

"For one, our intelligence agencies have maintained contacts," Lavrov said. "A round of negotiations on fighting terrorism has been held after a long break."

"In a number of other areas, such as the Syrian settlement, the North Korean nuclear problem and Afghanistan, we have contacts, which do not always reveal coincidences, but which are fairly regular," he added.

US, Russia and China 

Washington has always seen Moscow and Beijing as competitors, regardless of the presidential administration, Sergey Lavrov believes. 

The Russian foreign minister reminded that during his presidential campaign, US President Donald Trump expressed his support for improving relations with Moscow. "However, of course, the United States see us, and China as well, by the way, as competitors, regardless of who is supporting friendly relations with Russia," Lavrov noted. "The Russophobic campaign has brought nothing to Washington, and in recent weeks, US propagandists have actively embarked on China, making it the main hacker, who allegedly undermines the foundations of American society."

"It is unfortunate when the interests of the international community, global strategic stability and international security fall victim to domestic political strife," the Russian diplomat stressed. "But we will be ready for dialogue even in these conditions."