Russia Says EU Break Wouldn’t Harm Ties With European Nations
- Lavrov says Brussels to blame for ruining Russia relationship
- Finland’s Haavisto challenges Russian diplomat in talks
Pekka Haavisto and Sergei Lavrov in St. Petersburg, Russia, Feb. 15.
Source; Russian Foreign Ministry Press/AP
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Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov softened his rhetoric on the European Union, saying Russia remains keen to maintain friendly relations with European countries despite his threat last week to break off ties with the 27-nation bloc.
“You mustn’t confuse the European Union and Europe,” Lavrov said on Monday after talks with his Finnish counterpart Pekka Haavisto in St. Petersburg. “We’re not leaving Europe -- we have a lot of friends and like-minded people there and we will continue to develop mutually beneficial ties with them.”