MOSCOW. Feb 18 (Interfax) - The events in Ukraine have significantly affected antiterrorist cooperation between Russia and the West, which tends to politicize this cooperation, says Ilya Rogachyov, the director of the Russian Foreign Ministry Department of New Challenges and Threats.
"The problem is, the events in Ukraine have had a very strong effect on our interaction with our Western partners at their initiative," Rogachyov said in an interview with Interfax.
All contacts in this sector have in fact been frozen, he said.
"Our Western partners have done this precisely because of the events in Ukraine. That is, they are trying to isolate us this way, although no isolation attempts have worked," he said.
"Surely, our relations have been damaged very much. The most important thing causing our objections is the politicization of cooperation," he added.
Asked whether Russia is willing to resume antiterrorist cooperation with the West, the diplomat answered positively.
"Yes, we are ready, but if it is understood that it will be equitable, conscientious, and without double standards," he said.