MOSCOW. Sept 2 (Interfax) - Russia is ready for contacts with Western states if they abandon the anti-Russian course, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
"The president has underlined on numerous occasions that we are open to contacts with countries of the collective West, naturally, with an understanding that they should abandon the openly hostile course towards our country," Lavrov said at the MGIMO University on the Day of Knowledge on Monday.
"We will continue to give a harsh response to unfriendly steps. This is not our choice but the choice of those who have taken the path of deliberate destruction of relations with Russia and demonization of our country and our people," Lavrov said.
"We are ready for any scenarios and will judge the West's intentions by its deeds instead of empty statements," he said.