United States - Russia Meet On January 10, Foreign Minister Lavrov: We Will Defend The National Interest

JAKARTA - Russia will firmly defend its national interests at the upcoming security talks with the United States (US) and NATO in January.

This was emphasized by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, underscoring not to make unilateral concessions without taking into account the balance of Kremlin interests.

"We are now preparing to resolutely and effectively pursue an agenda of defending our interests and refusing to make concessions that would be unilateral and not take into account the balance of interests," he said, quoted by Sputnik News December 29.

"This is what we continue from now on as we get ready for negotiations, first of all, with the United States," Lavrov continued, speaking at the first meeting of the United Russia commission for international cooperation and support of his compatriots abroad.

The US and Russia will hold talks on arms control and the situation in Ukraine on January 10. Security assurance talks with NATO are expected to take place on January 12 in Geneva, Switzerland.

Last week, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg announced the initiative to hold talks with Russia on January 12. Shortly after the announcement, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko told Sputnik the main issue to be raised at the talks was the security proposals for NATO put forward by Russia, including the non-expansion of the alliance into Eastern Europe.

To note, relations between NATO and Russia have deteriorated over Western accusations that Moscow is planning to attack Ukraine. Moscow has repeatedly denied the allegations.

Russia says its troop movement is purely defensive in light of the increased NATO military activity near Russia's borders, stressing it has the right to move troops within its own territory in the interests of its national security.