Moscow forced into confrontation with West: FM

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Wednesday that Moscow has been forced into a confrontation with the West in the latter's anti-Russian campaign based on the Cold War mentality.

"Russia does not intend to get involved in the confrontation imposed on it, neither with the United States, nor NATO nor the European Union," Lavrov said when addressing the State Duma, or the lower house of parliament.

He blasted "Western countries led by the United States" for attempting to gain global domination by making use of the current terrorism threat, thus deepening regional conflicts and instability of the world economy.

Noting that international relations are experiencing a watershed moment, the top Russian diplomat called for the formation of a new polycentric architecture.

"No single state or a group of states, however potent they may be, are able to solve the multiple problems of the modern era on their own," he said. "The current situation demands collective diplomatic work ... to find the optimal responses to common challenges and threats."

Lavrov also highlighted the significance of providing a balance of world politics within such frameworks as the United Nations, BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Group of 20. Endi