“It is necessary to maintain a dialogue with Russia on major international questions, especially threats to peace and international security. The rise of terrorism, Libya, Syria or the Iranian nuclear question are the topics, which are on the table and on which we need to speak to Russia,” the ministry’s press office stated.
The press office added that Russia is a first-class global actor and Madrid has always favored a dialogue with Moscow, stressing also that the sanctions regime had a negative impact on the EU economies.
“The sanctions regime and, above all, counter-measures adopted by Russia against the countries of the European Union have had a negative impact on various sectors of the Spanish economy, especially in the agriculture [sector], but Spain is acting like a responsible partner of the European Union and considers it necessary that the European Union speak with one voice,” the ministry said.
Moscow's relations with the West deteriorated in 2014 over the Ukrainian crisis, when the European Union along with the United States and some other countries imposed several rounds of sanctions against Russia, accusing it of meddling in Ukrainian internal affairs, a claim which Moscow has repeatedly denied.
The latest round of Western punitive measures against Russia is up for extension among EU members before the July 31 expiration deadline.
Earlier this week, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier reiterated his proposal to consider step-by-step lifting of the EU anti-Russian sanctions depending on progress in the implementation of Minsk peace accords aimed at resolving the conflict in eastern Ukraine.
