JAKARTA - Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview published on Monday that Russia remains open to working with the United States, but is not optimistic about economic relations despite Washington's continued efforts to end the war in Ukraine.
Speaking to Russia-based media, TV BRICS, Foreign Minister Lavrov cited what he called the United States' stated goal of "economic dominance."
"We also do not see a bright future in the economic field," said Foreign Minister Lavrov, launching Al Arabiya from Reuters (9/2).
Russian officials, including Russian President's Special Envoy for Investment and Economic Cooperation Kirill Dmitriev, have previously spoken of the prospect of a massive recovery of economic ties with the United States as part of a Ukrainian peace settlement.
However, even though President Trump has also spoken of reviving economic cooperation with Moscow and has hosted Russian President Vladimir Putin, on US soil since returning to the White House, he has imposed tougher sanctions on Russia's vital energy sector.
Foreign Minister Lavrov also mentioned President Trump's hostility towards the BRICS bloc, which includes Russia, China, India, Brazil, and other major developing countries.
"America itself created artificial obstacles along this road (towards BRICS integration)," he said.
"We are forced to find additional and protected ways to develop financial, economic, logistical and other projects with BRICS countries," he said.
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