(VOVworld) – NATO’s eastward expansion will force Russia to take “adequate” response, spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry Alexander Lukashevich said Thursday.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov speaks to media in a news conference during a meeting of foreign ministers from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in Basel on December 5, 2014.  (Photo: Reuters)

Lukashevich was quoted by Interfax news agency as saying that the “European-Atlantic tilt” would not help Ukraine resolve its social and economic difficulties.
In an interview with the Kommersant business daily, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the EU adopted sanctions against Russia under pressure from the US. He said Western sanctions on Russia go against international norms, adding that Russia is willing to be a good partner with every nation on a basis of equality and mutual benefit.