Moscow to proceed from Trump statements that U.S. wants to work with Russia rather than from assistants' words - Lavrov
MOSCOW. April 17 (Interfax) - Moscow will look to U.S. President Donald Trump's words on his willingness to normalize relations with Russia rather than to critical statements by his assistants, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
"We will look to what President Trump has reaffirmed once again rather than to his assistant's words. And the president has reaffirmed that he wants to normalize relations with the Russian Federation, and we also stand ready for that," Lavrov said at a press conference in Moscow on Monday, in commenting on U.S. National Security Advisor Herbert McMaster's statement that it is now time for "those tough discussions" with Russia over its actions in Syria and in Europe.
Lavrov said that "it's not Russia that is responsible for the chaos" caused by interference by Western countries in the affairs of other countries, and Russia should not pay for the consequences of these actions.
"It's not the approach of a partner, and we don't accept it," he said.