MUNICH (Sputnik) — Russia calls for good neighborly relations, he said.
"Russia has never tried to hide its views and has been frank about its work in promoting good neighborly relations, security and development from Vancouver to Vladivostok. The tensions of the past years between the US, Europe and Russia are unnatural and, I’d even say, ‘counternatural,’" he said.
Russia is not looking for a conflict but will protect its interests, he emphasized.
"Russia is not looking for a conflict with anyone but will always be able to protect its interests. We want to strive for dialogue to find understanding based on mutual benefit."
He categorically denied accusations of Moscow allegedly trying to undermine a "liberal world order" or prevent new "centers of influence" from emerging around the world, saying such a world order was doomed to fail.
Since 2014, relations between Russia, the European Union and the United States, deteriorated amid the crisis in Ukraine. Brussels, Washington and their allies introduced several rounds of sanctions against Russia on the pretext of its alleged involvement in the Ukrainian conflict, which Moscow has repeatedly denied. In response to the restrictive measures, Russia has imposed a food embargo on some products originating in countries that have targeted it with sanctions.
