Lavrov met with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference to discuss the deterioration of relations between Russia and NATO in light of the Ukrainian crisis.
"NATO's course on strengthening its military potential and expanding its military presence and infrastructure on the alliance's 'eastern flank' as well as an increase in the number of exercises near the Russian borders creates additional tensions, provoke confrontation and undermine the whole system of Euro-Atlantic security," the Russian Foreign Ministry quoted Lavrov as saying.
"Lavrov stressed that NATO support of Kiev's military action in southern Ukraine hampers attempts to find a peaceful resolution of the deep domestic crisis in Ukraine," the ministry said.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov explained that all the measures taken by NATO are defensive and pledged to maintain an open channel of dialogue with Moscow.
"#NATO SG @jensstoltenberg after talks w/#Russia FM Lavrov: I explained all our measures are defensive. We keep channels of dialogue open," the alliance's spokesperson Oana Lungescu posted on her Twitter.
#NATO SG @jensstoltenberg after talks w/#Russian FM Lavrov:we assess sit in #Ukraine v differently,I underscored Russia's responsibility 1/2
— Oana Lungescu (@NATOpress) February 7, 2015
#NATO SG @jensstoltenberg after talks w/#Russia FM Lavrov:I explained all our measures are defensive. We keep channels of dialogue open 2/2
— Oana Lungescu (@NATOpress) February 7, 2015
Stoltenberg and Russia's foreign policy chief held a meeting earlier on Saturday at the 51st Munich Security Conference, being held February 6-8.
Russia's envoy to the alliance, Alexander Grushko said the decision "creates a great risk for Russia", primarily in the Baltics, which could become a region of "military confrontation."
