"The Russian side's main task at the moment would be taking actions aimed not at the cutting of the bilateral relations, but at preserving them, creating conditions to revive the development of friendly and active connections between the two states and peoples," Lavrov was quoted as saying in a letter to Duma deputies by the Izvestia newspaper.
At the same time, the minister expressed concern over Kiev's current actions directed against Moscow.
Relations between Russia and Ukraine became tense in 2014, after Crimea seceded from Ukraine and reunified with Russia as a result of a referendum.
Kiev has also accused Moscow of meddling in its internal affairs and supporting militias in eastern Ukraine. The Kremlin has denied any involvement in the Ukrainian crisis and made efforts to facilitate peaceful settlement.
