Russian Foreign Minister considered Washington’s considerations on Moscow’s main concerns as negative, such as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), prohibition of deploying weapons that threaten Russia from neighboring countries, especially Ukraine, and the return of NATO’s infrastructure in Europe to its 1997 position, as the Russia-NATO Founding Act was signed.

Mr. Lavrov recalled that this document ensuring the indivisibility of security was expressed for the first time.

He cautioned, however, that the US response says that “the right of any Government to choose alliances, join alliances, to change its alliances is above all, and that is not in dispute.”

The Russian foreign minister also reiterated that the principle of the security indivisibility is enshrined in decisions at highest level within the framework of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the Russia-NATO Council.

Lavrov explained that such right is based on the obligation to refuse to strengthen its security at the expense of the security of any other country.

“Unfortunately, we are watching attempts by our NATO allies and the European Union, which is succeed in determining the future development of our continent,” Lavrov said.

He stressed that Russia will continue asking the United States to provide answers to Moscow´s questions on security guarantees, while holding talks on other issues.

Washington and NATO delivered to Russia on January 26 their written responses to the proposals presented by Moscow.

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