Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov: Russia will respond asymmetrically to the unfriendly steps of the West This was stated by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov following a meeting of the Russian-French Council for Security Cooperation, TASS reports.
The Foreign Minister noted that strategic security was discussed in detail at the meeting, including the challenges that arose after the US withdrew from the Treaty on the Elimination of Intermediate-Range and Shorter-Range Missiles and from the Open Skies Treaty.
“We have confirmed the intention to continue to show a restrained approach, not to create artificial problems, but we will, of course, respond to the unfriendly steps that the West is taking. We will act in a mirror-like manner, and if necessary, asymmetrically, ”Lavrov emphasized.
The Foreign Minister also expressed concern that the arms race is going into outer space. According to him, such plans were openly announced by Washington, and France recently came up with a similar initiative.
Lavrov recalled during the meeting that Russian President Vladimir Putin had declared a unilateral moratorium on the deployment of missiles banned by the Treaty on Medium and Smaller Missiles range (INF Treaty) until similar American-made systems appear in other regions of the world.
Earlier, Lavrov said that Moscow had offered France to discuss a way out of the impasse in relations with the European Union (EU). The minister also pointed out that during the negotiations in the “2 + 2” format, the parties did not avoid sharp corners. He added that Russia appreciates the attitude of French President Emmanuel Macron to build relationships.
The meeting took place on November 12 in Paris. It was attended by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, the French side was represented by Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian and Minister of the Armed Forces Florence Parly.