Russia Has More to Offer West Than Ukraine – Russian Lawmaker

Russia has more to offer the West than Ukraine, since the only thing Kiev can bring to the table is standoff with Moscow, Chairman of Russia's State Duma Committee on Foreign Affairs said.

"Time is against Ukraine. [Kiev] can offer the West nothing more than confrontation with Russia. Moscow has well more to offer," Alexei Pushkov tweeted.

Время играет против Украины. Она не может ничего предложить Западу, кроме конфронтации с Россией. Россия может предложить неизмеримо больше.

— Алексей Пушков (@Alexey_Pushkov) 17 мая 2015

The United States understands that attempts to isolate Russia failed and is trying to build bridges, Washington earlier successfully demolished, Pushkov pointed out last week. As a result, on May 12, US State Secretary John Kerry visited Sochi to discuss a broad range of issues with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

The US is trying to adjust its relations with Moscow so that Washington could "nevertheless count on Russia's support with regard to crucial issues. … We are important to the United States," Pushkov told the Vesti FM radio station.

Following the talks, Russia's presidential aide Yury Ushakov said that Russia was "guided by a fundamental interest in resuming normal relations [with the United States]. This is to the benefit of Russia and the United States and of vital importance to ensure international stability and security."

However, cooperation between Moscow and Washington "is possible only on a fair and equal basis, without attempts to dictate or apply pressure [on Russia]," Sergei Lavrov pointed out.