MOSCOW. Oct 24 (Interfax) - Russia understands the Western countries' interest toward the former Soviet republics but urges them to take into account Russia's position as well, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
"We understand these interests, and the only thing we want is that extra-regional players pursue these objective interests on this territory, this geopolitical area, with respect for these very countries' interests and certainly with respect for interests of the Russian Federation, taking into account our very close links with our Central Asian, South Caucasus, and European neighbors, the former Soviet republics," Lavrov said in an interview with the radio stations Echo Moskvy, the Voice of Russia, and Radio Rossii on Friday.