Russia, U.S. constructive ties have positive impact on world: Russian FM

The development of constructive, mutually beneficial bilateral ties can bring real benefits to the peoples of Russia and the United States and will also have a positive impact on the world situation, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told local media.

"From our side, we are ready to work with the administration of D. Trump on the whole agenda of the Russia-U.S. relations on the basis of the principles of equality, mutual respect and taking each other's interests into account," the minister said in an interview with the Russian newspaper Izvestia published on Friday.

The top Russian diplomat also said that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has been discussing the possibility of the allies' military deployment in Bulgaria and Romania, which the minister said is "certainly provocative and destabilizing."

"We are closely monitoring the current and prospective military-political situation in Europe. We will stick to a comprehensive approach aimed at securing our borders and Russia's national interests," he said.

Concerning the Syrian issue, the minister stressed: "Unanimously adopted Resolution 2254 of the UN Security Council remains a key element of the internationally accepted framework of the Syrian settlement."

Lavrov insisted that "only Syrian people can determine its future without interference from the outside world."

Talking about Ukraine, Lavrov said that in recent days, the situation in southeast Ukraine has deteriorated and that radical and nationalist forces in Kiev are responsible for the new round of escalation of the situation in Ukraine.

The minister urged Kiev's government to immediately stop military provocations, and to follow existing agreements and begin to fulfill the terms of the Minsk agreements.

Lavrov also said that Russia's Foreign Ministry will continue to promote the creation of favorable external conditions for Russia's security and well-being of its citizens. Endi