MOSCOW. Feb 12 (Interfax) - Russia has reaffirmed that it is prepared to sever relations with the European Union if Brussels resorts to such a step, but it urges the EU to maintain equitable and mutually respectful cooperation, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Friday.
"We're prepared for a breakup if this happens at the EU's initiative," the Foreign Ministry told journalists.
"For our part, we urge the EU to maintain equitable and mutually respectful cooperation, which is precisely what [Russian Foreign Minister] Sergei Lavrov said," the ministry said.