MOSCOW, December 13. /TASS/. Russia is ready to cooperate with all countries that are seeking an equal partnership, as there are no second-class regions or nations for Moscow in this regard, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov assured the Federation Council (upper house of parliament, or "senate").

"There are no second-class players for us," Russia’s top diplomat said. According to him, Russia is ready to work with, and has been actively developing ties with, all countries that are seeking to democratize international relations.

Lavrov highlighted China and India among Russia’s partners in the Global South and also pointed to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), as well as Africa and Latin America.

Taking a senator’s question about Western anxiety over Russia’s recent successes in cooperating with the Global South, Lavrov said that Russia has shown exactly how it seeks to work with other nations, reinforcing this through numerous examples of engaging with diverse partner countries in implementing practical initiatives.