Russia ready for constructive interaction with US, but on equal basis - Foreign Ministry

MOSCOW, May 12. /TASS/. Russia is ready for constructive interaction with the United States, but on an equal basis, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Tuesday after a meeting of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State John Kerry in the southern Russian resort of Sochi. Lavrov and Kerry, the ministry said, "held a long and frank conversation on a wide range of issues of mutual interest." "Sergey Lavrov stressed that responsibility for the current crisis in relations with Washington does not rest with us," it said. "Russia is ready for constructive cooperation with the United States both in the bilateral sphere and on the global arena, where our countries bear special responsibility for global security and stability," the ministry said. "But cooperation is only possible on a fair and equal basis, without attempts of diktat and coercion," it said. In this connection, it was noted that "uncoiling confrontation, attempts to pressure us with sanctions are a dead-end track." The ministry said "it will be impossible to make Russia give up its national interests and principled position on key issues." When considering the problems of the Ukrainian crisis, Lavrov and Kerry noted that it could only be settled by political means. Russia stressed that the "Minsk agreements of February 12, including organization of stable direct dialogue of Kiev with Donetsk and Lugansk should be strictly implemented." "A full-fledged constitutional reform in Ukraine remains an essential condition of achievement of a stable and just peace in Ukraine," the ministry said. It said Lavrov and Kerry also exchanged opinions on the situations in Syria and Yemen. Situation in Ukraine On February 12, participants of the Contact Group on settlement of the situation in Donbass signed in Belarusian capital Minsk a document earlier agreed with leaders of the Normandy Four (Russia, Germany, France and Ukraine). The 13-point document, entitled the Package of Measures on implementation of the September 2014 Minsk agreements, in particular included cessation of fire from February 15, withdrawal of heavy armaments, as well as measures on long-term political settlement in Ukraine, including establishment of working subgroups. The subgroups focus on four areas: economic issues and restoration of facilities; refugees, internally displaced persons and humanitarian assistance; political issues; security issues. Clashes between Ukrainian troops and local militias during Kiev’s military operation, conducted since mid-April 2014, to regain control over the breakaway territories, which call themselves the Donetsk and Lugansk People's republics and constitute parts of the Donetsk and Lugansk regions, have left thousands dead and forced hundreds of thousands of people to flee Ukraine’s embattled east. Syria According to UN statistics, fighting between Syrian government troops and militants has killed more than 200,000 people and displaced millions since its start in 2011. Yemen Confrontation between Yemeni authorities and Shiite rebels - Houthis - became more intense in August 2014. In January 2015, the military wing of Houthis, Ansar Allah, captured the country’s capital Sanaa. Under pressure from rebels, President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi and the government led by Khaled Mahgouz Bahah resigned. The Yemeni president was forced to move to Aden. After Houthis entered the city on March 25, he left the country. Hadi called on Persian Gulf monarchies to interfere. On March 26, Saudi Arabia, supported by regional allies, launched an air operation against Houthis, codenamed Decisive Storm. Later it turned into another operation, Renewal of Hope. According to UN data, at least 646 civilians have been killed and over 1,364 civilians wounded in Yemen on March 26 - May 3. Read more