23 Apr 2014 15:56

Russia will respond if attacked - Lavrov

MOSCOW. April 23 (Interfax) - Russia will certainly retaliate if an attack is launched against it or against its citizens, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.

"If we are attacked, we would certainly respond. If our interests, our legitimate interests, the interests of Russians have been attacked directly, like they were in South Ossetia for example, I do not see any other way but to respond in accordance with international law," Lavrov said in an interview with Russia Today.

"Russian citizens being attacked is an attack against the Russian Federation," Lavrov said.