Lavrov Sheds Light on Russia's Stance on Plan to Create 'Persian Gulf NATO'

NICOSIA (Sputnik) — Russia has a negative attitude toward solving problems through narrow military blocs, he said.

"You know our negative, in principle, attitude toward resolution of international security issues that concern everyone through narrow, closed military and political blocs," Lavrov said at a news conference after talks with his Cypriot counterpart.

The bloc, if established, would have a collective defense clause, resembling NATO's Article 5. It would also share intelligence with Israel, although the latter would not be a formal part of the envisaged military coalition.