MOSCOW. Dec 20 (Interfax-AVN) - The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) has contacts with the intelligence services of other countries "purely on an equal basis and if there are coinciding interests," the SVR chief said.
"At the same time, partners continue to do intelligence work in its traditional interpretation," Sergei Lebedev told Interfax.
"The channel for interaction with the special services of foreign states, including NATO countries, is used effectively on a mutually beneficial basis to carry out concrete tasks in security."
These tasks, he said, include combating international terrorism, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, drug and weapons trafficking, organized crime and settling international crises.
When asked whether the alleged Soviet-era practice where most Soviet intelligence agents recruited abroad were idealists (a source of pride for the Soviet intelligence service) is still the case, Lebedev said: "These days as well, many of our helpers are assist us for political reasons."
"There are people abroad who like Russia and support its efforts to form a multipolar world, ensure a balance of power on a global and regional scale, and prevent the use of violent methods to solve the problems that arise."
In reply to another question, Lebedev denied that today's SVR, which marks its 82nd anniversary on Friday, has any sabotage units.
"Today, the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service is not charged with tasks that require the special units that have been mentioned. Therefore, we don't have any," he said.