Preventing a direct conflict between nuclear powers is a top priority for Russian diplomacy, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said at a session of the Trialogue International Club on Wednesday, TASS reports.
"Preventing a direct conflict between nuclear powers and maintaining a deconfliction dialogue are seen as a top priority for Russian diplomacy, considering the risks of a further escalation of the Ukrainian crisis and general unpredictability of the international situation," he stressed.
As the senior Russian diplomat pointed out, "today work is extremely needed to maintain strategic stability, preserve the regimes of the non-proliferation of mass destruction weapons and improve the situation in arms control."
Russia plays a stabilizing role in various regions of the world and builds up versatile cooperation with countries of the CIS, Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America, the high-ranking Russian diplomat emphasized.
"We pay priority attention to the countries really interested in developing mutually advantageous and equitable relationships with Russia," he said.
Russia also intends to bolster the potential of multilateral associations and integration structures, such as the EAEU (Eurasian Economic Union), the CSTO (the Collective Security Treaty Organization), the CIS, the SCO (the Shanghai Cooperation Organization) and BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa), he specified.
Amid growing Russophobic sentiments in the United States, Europe and Japan, Russia will take efforts to refute the propaganda of "the empire of lies" and protect the rights of Russian citizens and companies abroad, Ryabkov said.
Russia is ready for any scenarios on the international scene, the deputy foreign minister stressed.
"We will be able to ensure our security and national interests and, likewise, the protection of our allies in the face of any threats and challenges," Ryabkov pointed out.
"Despite any difficulties whatsoever, we will continue to seek building a more democratic and just world," he said.
