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Ivanov Comments on Russian-US Mutual Expulsions of Diplomats
Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov said Monday an "emergency situation" has developed between Russia and the US States due to recent mutual expulsions of diplomats between the two countries.
Russia "is not the country one can talk to in the language of diktat and ultimatums," Ivanov told the public ORT channel when commenting on the current Russian-US spy scandal.
But the conflict "is not in the interests of either the US or Russia," said the minister, recalling statements by US President George W. Bush that good relation between the US and Russia is in the interests of the world.
"I subscribe to this assessment, because we both bear responsibility for world security," Ivanov said.
"The sooner this becomes realized in Washington the earlier we will go over from any mutual accusations to a serious discussion."
Ivanov said Russia and the US "have a large area for maneuvering on many serious problems."
Commenting on reports that Russia plans to raise rent for the residence of the U.S. ambassador to Russia, Ivanov said this has nothing to do with the spy scandal.
Ivanov also predicted no radical change would happen in the Balkan region, saying aggravated situation will last in the region for a long time.
What is happening in the Balkans is similar to what has happened in Chechnya, he added.
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