MINSK. Sept 10 (Interfax) - The integration agreements reached in the Union State of Russia and Belarus are the best response to any sanctions, as it is pointless to hope that someone "will show mercy," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
"Everything done today on the orders of the presidents is the best response to the policy of sanctions. It isn't right and it's pointless to hope that someone will show mercy and have a change of heart," Lavrov said following a meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Union State.
"The unreliability of our Western partners and their readiness to grab the stick of sanctions at all times" are well known, Lavrov said. "We should rely on our own strength, and this is what will be done," he said.
Lavrov added that the door remains open to everyone who is ready for equal cooperation based on the search for a balance of interests.