Lavrov says Russia rules out security deals with European countries

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow will not conclude contracts or agreements with European countries in areas related to Russia’s national security.

“In areas on which the security of the state depends, we will not and do not intend to conclude any contracts or agreements with Europeans,” Lavrov said while speaking at the International Youth Festival, according to TASS.

Lavrov said Russia and the United States continue to maintain individual contacts, but a full-fledged bilateral dialogue would require the normalisation of relations between the two countries.

“Our American colleagues are proposing that we resume bilateral dialogue. We are maintaining individual contacts, but for a full-fledged dialogue, it is necessary to normalise relations,” the minister said.

Lavrov also said Moscow was checking reports concerning the alleged deployment of U.S. offensive weapons in space.

“Everyone was alarmed by the news that the United States announced that it had put weapons into space, offensive weapons. We are now double-checking this situation,” the Russian foreign minister said.

By Tamilla Hasanova